background:
Islet-2 (insulin gene enhancer protein ISL-2) is a 359 amino acid protein encoded by the human gene ISL2. Islet-2 is a nuclear protein that contains two N-terminal LIM domains, followed by a homeodomain and a serine/ glutamine/threonine-rich SLCterminus. Islet-2 is a transcriptional factor that defines subclasses of motor neurons that segregate into columns in the spinal cord and select distinct axon pathways. Islet-1 and Islet-2 are initially ex-pressed by all postmitotic spinal motor neurons prior to diversification of somatic and visceral neuronal fates. Somatic, but not visceral, motor neurons maintain Islet-2 expression at later embryonic stages. An early phase of Islet-2 expression by prospective visceral motor neurons of the sympathetic preganglionic motor column is critical for the emergence of complete visceral motor neuron character. Mutations that reduce or eliminate both Islet-1 and Islet-2 activity will result in pronounced defects in visceral motor neuron generation and eroded somatic motor neuron character.
Function:
Transcriptional factor that defines subclasses of motoneurons that segregate into columns in the spinal cord and select distinct axon pathways.
Subcellular Location:
Nucleus.
Similarity:
Contains 1 homeobox DNA-binding domain.
Contains 2 LIM zinc-binding domains.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q96A47.1
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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