Function
ATF2 is a transcription factor which binds to the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) (consensus: 5’-GTGACGT[AC][AG]-3’). ATF2 binds DNA as a dimer.
The specificity of the DNA target sequence that is recognized by dimers containing ATF2 is different depending on whether it is a homodimer or it forms a heterodimer with another JUN protein.
The cAMP response element (CRE) is an octanucleotide motif (TGACGTCA) that mediates diverse transcriptionally regulatory effects. It was first identified as an inducible enhancer of genes that can be transcribed in response to increased cAMP levels.
Some growth control genes such as FOS (MIM.164810) have CRE in their transcriptional regulatory region and their expression is induced by increase in the intracellular cAMP levels.
Pathology
fusion gene formation
— * ATF2/EWSR1 fusion gene in Clear Cell Sarcoma
References
Infrequent mutations of the activating transcription factor-2 gene in human lung cancer, neuroblastoma and breast cancer. Woo IS, Kohno T, Inoue K, Ishii S, Yokota J. Int J Oncol 2002; 20: 527-531. Medline 11836564