Forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2)

Forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2) is a forkhead/winged-helix DNA-binding transcription factor highly expressed in the ovary, pituitary, and eyelid muscle precursor tissues. FOXL2 is necessary for ovarian development, granulosa cell differentiation, and repression of testis-specific pathways in females. It modulates transcription of genes involved in steroidogenesis, apoptosis, and cell cycle control. Mutations in FOXL2 are associated with genetic syndromes such as BPES (with or without premature ovarian failure), sex reversal syndromes in animals, and a characteristic C134W alteration in adult granulosa cell tumors. FOXL2 cooperatively regulates TP53 and other cancer-relevant genes, affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is conserved across mammals and vertebrates and is considered a master regulator of ovarian identity and granulosa cell fate.

Other names

FOXL2BPES1BPESPFRKPINTOPOF3Forkhead transcription factor FOXL2Forkhead box L2BPES1 (Blepharophimosis–ptosis–epicanthus inversus syndrome 1)

Not directly applicable as FOXL2 is not the target of marketed drugs. In adult granulosa cell tumors, FOXL2 status (especially C134W mutation) is used diagnostically or for understanding tumor biology.