CRTC2
CRTC2 (CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2, also known as TORC2) is a transcriptional coactivator of CREB1 that links cAMP and calcium signals to gene expression. It belongs to the TORC family and regulates processes including gluconeogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CRTC2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CRTC2 is a transcriptional coactivator for CREB1. It activates transcription through both consensus and variant cAMP response element (CRE) sites, and it acts independently of CREB1 Ser-133 phosphorylation. It also enhances the interaction of CREB1 with TAF4. In the SIK/TORC signalling pathway, CRTC2 is active when dephosphorylated.
Under basal conditions, CRTC2 is phosphorylated by AMP-activated protein kinase or the salt-inducible kinases and is held in the cytoplasm. When cAMP or calcium levels rise, the protein translocates to the nucleus and increases expression of CREB-targeted genes. This regulated shuttling between cytoplasm and nucleus is central to how the protein works. CRTC2 is a component of the LKB1/AMPK/TORC2 pathway that regulates gluconeogenesis. It also regulates specific genes such as the steroidogenic gene StAR, and it is a potent coactivator of PPARGC1A and an inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells. In addition, it acts as a coactivator for TAX activation of the human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) long terminal repeats.
The CRTC2 gene encodes a member of the transducers of regulated CREB activity family, also called the TORC family. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. A pseudogene is located on the long arm of chromosome 5. Mouse and rat both have a Crtc2 ortholog, which supports comparative studies of the CRTC2 protein in metabolic and signalling models.
CRTC2 is part of the LKB1/AMPK/TORC2 pathway that regulates gluconeogenesis, and gene variants may raise type 2 diabetes risk.
Elevated cAMP or calcium drives CRTC2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, making it a model for studying regulated coactivator shuttling.
CRTC2 is a potent coactivator of PPARGC1A and induces mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells.
CRTC2 coactivates CREB1 at CRE sites and regulates specific genes such as StAR, supporting work on CREB-dependent gene control.
CRTC2 is a transcriptional coactivator for CREB1 that is active when dephosphorylated. It regulates gluconeogenesis through the LKB1/AMPK/TORC2 pathway, regulates genes such as StAR, and coactivates PPARGC1A to induce mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells.
TORC2 is an alias of CRTC2, reflecting its membership of the TORC family, the transducers of regulated CREB activity. The approved HGNC name is CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CRTC2 gene may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. CRTC2 also coactivates TAX-driven HTLV-1 LTR activation. Mouse and rat each have a Crtc2 ortholog, so rodent models can be used for its study.
Other TORC family coactivators and CREB pathway targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q53ET0; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.