Early growth response protein 2 (EGR2)

Early growth response protein 2 (EGR2) is a zinc finger transcription factor encoded by the EGR2 gene. It contains three tandem C2H2-type zinc finger domains, enabling sequence-specific DNA binding to regulate gene expression critical for development and function of the nervous system—especially Schwann cell myelination, peripheral nerve development, and hindbrain segmentation. EGR2 controls the expression of homeobox genes, as well as genes involved in immune cell maturation (including T cells, B cells, and macrophage subtypes). Mutations in EGR2 can cause severe inherited demyelinating diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome. The activity and expression of EGR2 is tightly modulated by various cytokines, growth factors, and cellular stress conditions, and it plays a role in the plasticity of immune cell activation, fibrosis, and potentially other disease mechanisms.

Other names

Krox20EGR-2Early growth response gene-2

For drugs or molecules affecting EGR2: Modulation of transcriptional activity (via DNA binding or protein-protein interactions); SUMOylation influencing transcriptional repression; Regulation by cytokines and inflammatory stimuli (especially IL-4, IL-13 upregulate; IFNγ, LPS, TNF downregulate)