MEF2 transcription factors: developmental regulators and emerging cancer genes.
The MEF2 transcription factors have roles in muscle, cardiac, skeletal, vascular, neural, blood and immune system cell development through their effects on cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, shape and metabolism. Altered MEF2 activity plays a role in human diseases and has recently been implicated in the development of several cancer types. In particular, MEF2B, the most divergent and least studied protein of the MEF2 family, has a role unique from its paralogs in non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The use of genome-scale technologies has enabled comprehensive MEF2 target gene sets to be identified, contributing to our understanding of MEF2 proteins as nodes in complex regulatory networks. This review surveys the molecular interactions of MEF2 proteins and their effects on cellular and organismal phenotypes. We include a discussion of the emerging roles of MEF2 proteins as oncogenes and tumor suppressors of cancer. Throughout this article we highlight similarities and differences between the MEF2 family proteins, including a focus on functions of MEF2B.
Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
Julia R
JR
Pon
Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.|Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Marco A
MA
Marra
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics
D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; C578035:MEF2A protein, human; C578038:MEF2B protein, human
MEF2; cancer; developmental biology; gene regulation; transcription factor