MEIS2

MEIS2, or Meis homeobox 2, is a member of the Meis family of TALE (three amino acid loop extension) homeobox transcription factors. It encodes a nuclear protein that binds DNA as part of multiprotein complexes and functions primarily as a transcriptional regulator. MEIS2 proteins commonly act as cofactors for other sequence-specific transcription factors, notably HOX proteins, and they participate in regulatory networks that control gene expression during development.

In vertebrates, MEIS2 plays important roles in embryonic patterning and organogenesis. Expression is detectable in developing neural tissue, the hindbrain regional border, craniofacial structures, the heart, and other tissues, with particular importance for neural crest derivatives. Genetic and embryological studies in model organisms indicate that MEIS2 participates in processes such as hindbrain segmentation, craniofacial morphogenesis, and outflow tract formation in the developing heart. Loss or disruption of MEIS2 function in animals can lead to craniofacial abnormalities, cardiac defects, and other developmental anomalies, underscoring its role in specifying regional identity and guiding morphogenesis.

MEIS2 exerts its effects by forming protein complexes with PBX family members and HOX proteins, enabling context-dependent regulation of target genes. Its activity can be influenced by cellular signals and developmental cues, and it contributes to the fine-tuning of gene expression programs that shape body plans.

In humans, rare MEIS2 mutations or dysregulated expression have been associated with congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental disorders in some studies, though the full spectrum of MEIS2-related disease remains under investigation.