COUP-TFII (COUP transcription factor 2), also known as NR2F2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NR2F2 gene. It functions as a pro-ovary/anti-testis transcription factor during embryonic sexual differentiation, and in particular loss-of-function mutations of the gene are associated with differences of sexual development in children with XX chromosomes, together with cardiac defects. The COUP acronym stands for chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter, which is older (pre-1999) terminology referencing the role of COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII in chickens, which were the first reported.
Function
COUP-TFII plays a critical role in controlling the development of a number of tissues and organs including heart, blood vessels, muscles and limbs.
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulates COUP-TFII-induced transactivation while COUP-TFII represses the GR transcriptional activity. COUP-TFII interacts with GATA2 to inhibit adipocyte differentiation.
Structure and ligands
The structure of COUP-TF2 LBD is known. Retinoic acid, although not at physiological concentrations, activate this receptor.
Interactions
COUP-TFII has been shown to interact with:
