Vestigial like family member 2 (VGLL2)

Vestigial like family member 2 (VGLL2) is a transcription cofactor belonging to the vestigial-like family, primarily expressed in skeletal muscle and critical for muscle cell differentiation and maintenance of muscle fiber identity. VGLL2 interacts with key transcription factors such as TEF/TEAD and MEF2 to co-regulate the expression of muscle-specific genes and modulate the programing of slow-contractile muscle fibers. VGLL2 is essential in embryonic skeletal muscle development, as well as in adult muscle adaptation to chronic overload, by shifting muscle metabolism and contractile properties toward a slower phenotype. Genomic rearrangements involving VGLL2 can act as oncogenic drivers in congenital and infantile spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma, forming fusion proteins (notably VGLL2–CITED2 and VGLL2–NCOA2) that may serve as distinct molecular markers or diagnostic features in pediatric sarcomas. There are currently no drugs specifically directed at VGLL2, nor is it an established therapeutic target.

Other names

Transcription cofactor vestigial-like protein 2VITO1Vgl-2Protein VITO1VGL2vestigial like 2Vestigial and Tondu related protein 1