Cut Like Homeobox Protein 2 (CUX2)

The deduced 1,426-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of 155 kD. Cux2 contains 3 cut repeats and a C-terminal homeodomain. Helix-3 of the homeodomain has 4 invariant residues that interact with the major groove of DNA. Northern blot analysis detected Cux2 expression in brain only. In situ hybridization of adult mouse brain showed predominent expression of Cux2 mRNA in the cytoplasm of neurons in the thalamus and limbic system. In embryos, Cux2 was expressed in the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, including the telencephalon and peripheral ganglia of the trigeminal and glossopharyngeal nerves.Full-length mouse and human CUTL2, as well as truncated CUTL2 proteins containing at least 1 cut repeat and the homeodomain, formed complexes with DNA and rapidly dissociated from it.