Metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2)

Metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) is a nuclear protein encoded by the MTA2 gene and a critical component of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complex, which is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. MTA2 harbors multiple domains (BAH, ELM2, SANT, GATA-like zinc finger) facilitating interactions with proteins such as HDACs, p53, estrogen receptor alpha, and hypoxia-inducible factors, thereby influencing histone and non-histone protein acetylation. Aberrant overexpression of MTA2 is observed in multiple cancer types and is tightly linked to increased cell motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, proliferation, and metastatic potential; MTA2 represses tumor suppressors such as PTEN and E-cadherin, interacting with both protein-coding and non-coding regulatory elements. MTA2 is investigated as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in oncology, with emerging small-molecule inhibitors targeting its associated enzymatic complexes or functional pathways.

Other names

MTA2Metastasis-associated 1 family member 2MTA1-L1PIDMetastasis-associated 1-like 1Metastasis-associated gene family, member 2Metastasis-associated protein MTA2p53 target protein in deacetylase complex

Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity within the NuRD complex (for HDAC inhibitors like vorinostat); Disruption of downstream cytoskeletal/motility pathways (for ROCK inhibitors like fasudil)