Nei-like DNA glycosylase 2 (NEIL2)

Nei-like DNA glycosylase 2 (NEIL2) is a DNA repair enzyme in the Fpg/Nei glycosylase family that recognizes and excises oxidized DNA bases, particularly cytosine-derived lesions such as 5-hydroxyuracil and 5-hydroxycytosine, and acts as a DNA glycosylase/AP lyase. NEIL2 initiates the base excision repair (BER) pathway by removing damaged bases and introducing DNA strand breaks at abasic sites. Unlike some other glycosylases, NEIL2 preferentially acts on single-stranded DNA and DNA bubble structures, making it especially important for the repair of transcribed genes and regions involved in active transcription, supporting its role in transcription-coupled BER (TC-BER). NEIL2 interacts with RNA polymerase II and other DNA repair and transcription factors, is involved in the maintenance of genome stability, and also contributes to processes such as epigenetic demethylation and regulation of innate immunity. Dysfunction or deficiency in NEIL2 has been linked to cancer susceptibility, neurodevelopmental disorders, and specific congenital diseases. There are currently no drugs known to selectively target NEIL2 in clinical use.

Other names

Endonuclease VIII-like 2NEH2NEI2FLJ31644MGC2832MGC4505DNA glycosylase/AP lyase Neil2DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase Neil2Nei homolog 2Nei-like protein 2endonuclease 8-like 2

Not established for drugs (no known clinical drugs selectively target NEIL2 as of current evidence); General mechanism: excision of oxidized bases, introduction of strand breaks at abasic sites by β,δ-elimination during BER