MEF2B
MEF2B (myocyte enhancer factor 2B, also known as RSRFR2) is a nuclear transcriptional activator of the MADS/MEF2 family of DNA-binding proteins. It binds the MEF2 element found in numerous muscle-specific genes and activates transcription through it. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MEF2B research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MEF2B is a transcriptional activator that binds specifically to the MEF2 element, with the consensus sequence 5'-YTA[AT](4)TAR-3', found in the regulatory regions of numerous muscle-specific genes. By binding this element it activates transcription, and it may be involved in muscle-specific and/or growth factor-related transcription. The protein is localised to the nucleus, consistent with its role as a DNA-binding regulator of gene expression.
The MEF2B gene encodes a member of the MADS/MEF2 family of DNA-binding proteins and belongs to the myocyte enhancer factor 2 group within the MADS box family, alongside related factors such as MEF2A and MEF2C. The protein is thought to regulate gene expression, including expression of the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain gene. The mouse ortholog is designated Mef2b. Researchers studying this factor may work with the MEF2B protein, the MEF2B gene or reagents such as a MEF2B antibody to examine its expression and function.
The genomic region around MEF2B is complex. It undergoes considerable alternative splicing, with transcripts supporting two non-overlapping loci (GeneID 729991 and 100271849) as well as numerous read-through transcripts that span both loci, annotated as GeneID 4207. Several isoforms of the protein are expressed from either this locus or from some of the read-through transcripts. The alias RSRFR2 is still found in the literature and in older database records, so it is worth searching under both names.
MEF2B binds the MEF2 element found in numerous muscle-specific genes, making it a useful factor for studying muscle-specific transcription.
As a MADS/MEF2 family DNA-binding protein and transcriptional activator, MEF2B is a model for sequence-specific activation through the MEF2 element.
MEF2B is thought to regulate expression of the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain gene, linking it to smooth muscle transcriptional control.
MEF2B may be involved in growth factor-related transcription, so it is relevant to studies of how signalling inputs shape gene expression.
MEF2B is a transcriptional activator. It binds specifically to the MEF2 element, 5'-YTA[AT](4)TAR-3', found in numerous muscle-specific genes, and activates transcription through it. It may be involved in muscle-specific and/or growth factor-related transcription, and it is located in the nucleus.
MEF2B is also known as RSRFR2, and its full name is myocyte enhancer factor 2B. The region undergoes considerable alternative splicing, and several isoforms are expressed from this locus or from read-through transcripts annotated under GeneID 4207, so isoform details depend on the transcript.
MEF2B belongs to the MEF2 family, part of the MADS box family of DNA-binding proteins, with MEF2A and MEF2C as relatives. A mouse ortholog, Mef2b, exists; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other MEF2 family transcription factors and related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q02080; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.