upstream stimulatory factor 2; class B basic helix-loop-helix protein 12; bHLHb12; FOS-interacting protein; FIP; major late transcription factor 2; upstream transcription factor 2 (USF2, BHLHB12)

Function

• transcription factor & DNA-binding protein
• binds to a symmetrical DNA sequence (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in a variety of viral & cellular promoters
• efficient DNA binding requires dimerization with another bHLH protein
• binds DNA as an homodimer or a heterodimer (USF1/USF2)
• in vivo, the USF1/USF2A heterodimer represents over 66% of the USF binding activity whereas the USF1 & USF2A homodimers represent less than 10%
• the USF1/USF2B heterodimer accounts for almost 15% in some cells

Structure

contains 1 basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain

Compartment

nucleus

Alternative splicing

• named isoforms=3; USF2A, USF2A-delta-H, USF2B
• additional isoforms seem to exist

Expression

ubiquitous

More general terms

• basic helix loop helix (bHLH) family transcription factor
• phosphoprotein

Database

• Entrez gene: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=gene&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Graphics&list_uids=7392
• Kegg: http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?hsa:7392
• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/600390
• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q15853.html