TCF7L2
TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7 like 2, also known as TCF-4 or TCF4) is a high mobility group (HMG) box transcription factor that participates in the Wnt signalling pathway. It represses or activates target genes depending on whether CTNNB1 is present. Browse Assay Genie's current range of TCF7L2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
TCF7L2 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor that acts within the Wnt signalling pathway. It modulates MYC expression by binding to the MYC promoter, and it activates transcription from promoters carrying several copies of the Tcf motif 5'-CCTTTGATC-3' when CTNNB1 is present. In the absence of CTNNB1 it acts as a repressor, so the same factor can switch target genes off or on according to Wnt pathway status. The TLE family members TLE1, TLE2, TLE3 and TLE4 repress transactivation mediated by TCF7L2 and CTNNB1.
The TCF7L2 gene encodes an HMG-box protein that belongs to the TCF/LEF family and is assigned by HGNC to the TCF/LEF transcription factor family and the Wnt enhanceosome complex group. The protein localises to the nucleus, including PML bodies. Several transcript variants encoding multiple different isoforms have been described. The mouse ortholog is Tcf7l2.
Functionally, expression of dominant-negative TCF7L2 mutants results in cell-cycle arrest in G1, and the protein is necessary for maintaining the epithelial stem-cell compartment of the small intestine. The protein has also been implicated in blood glucose homeostasis, and genetic variants of the gene are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The previous HGNC name, transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell specific, HMG-box), reflects its original description, and the aliases TCF-4 and TCF4 remain in common use in the literature.
TCF7L2 acts as a repressor without CTNNB1 and an activator with it, making it a central readout of Wnt pathway activity.
Genetic variants of TCF7L2 are associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk, and the protein is implicated in blood glucose homeostasis.
TCF7L2 is necessary for maintaining the epithelial stem-cell compartment of the small intestine.
TCF7L2 modulates MYC expression through its promoter, and dominant-negative mutants cause G1 cell-cycle arrest.
TCF7L2 is a Wnt pathway transcription factor that binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner, including the MYC promoter. It represses transcription in the absence of CTNNB1 and activates it when CTNNB1 is present. TLE1 to TLE4 repress this CTNNB1-dependent activation.
Yes. TCF-4 and TCF4 are aliases for TCF7L2, and the older HGNC name was transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell specific, HMG-box). Several transcript variants encode multiple isoforms. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity and isoform coverage.
Genetic variants of the TCF7L2 gene are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and the protein is implicated in blood glucose homeostasis. A mouse ortholog, Tcf7l2, exists, which allows the gene to be studied in mouse models.
Other TCF-named transcription factors and related Wnt pathway targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9NQB0; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.