Enhancer of polycomb homolog 2 (EPC2)

EPC2 (Enhancer of polycomb homolog 2) is a key chromatin-associated regulatory protein within the EP400 complex, which also comprises the Tip60 histone acetyltransferase and interacts with MYC and other factors. EPC2 is essential for the survival and self-renewal of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells, particularly in cases bearing MLL fusion oncogenes. Knockdown of EPC2 in leukemia models induces apoptosis through MYC accumulation, indicating its role in balancing transcriptional outputs between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic pathways. Its biological function is tightly linked to chromatin remodeling, epigenetic gene silencing, and regulation of hematopoietic cell fate, making it a significant therapeutic target in cancer biology. EPC2 is not itself a receptor, enzyme, ion channel, or transporter, but rather a chromatin regulatory protein and transcriptional regulator, acting via multiprotein complexes affecting histone modification and gene silencing. It plays a central role in oncogenic mechanisms by maintaining stemness and viability in leukemia, making it a cancer-relevant drug target. No known approved drugs directly target EPC2, but its pathway dependence on MYC provides downstream intervention opportunities.

Other names

EPC2Enhancer of polycomb 2Enhancer of polycomb homolog 2DKFZP566F2124EPC-likeEPC-LIKE

Drugs that inhibit MYC:MAX dimerization may be efficacious in the context of EPC2 depletion in acute myeloid leukemia, as EPC2 knockdown causes MYC accumulation leading to apoptosis in leukemia cells