Upstream Transcription Factor 2, c-Fos Interacting (USF2)

USF2 encodes a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper family, and can function as a cellular transcription factor. The encoded protein can activate transcription through pyrimidine-rich initiator (Inr) elements and E-box motifs. Two transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene.

The 3-prime UTR of mouse Usf2 shows strong conservation with almost the entire 3-prime UTR of human USF2, and the deduced mouse and human proteins share almost complete identity. In addition to the full-length 44-kD protein, in vitro translation of mouse Usf2 resulted in a 17.5-kD protein that was translated from an internal methionine. human USF2 also has an alternative internal translation start site.