Heat Shock Transcription Factor 2 (HSF2)

HSF2, as well as the related gene HSF1, encodes a protein that binds specifically to the heat-shock element and has homology to HSFs of other species. Heat shock transcription factors activate heat-shock response genes under conditions of heat or other stresses. Although the names HSF1 and HSF2 were chosen for historical reasons, these peptides should be referred to as heat-shock transcription factors.Kallio et al. (2002) found that mouse Hsf2 was expressed in all 3 embryonic layers at embryonic day 7.5 and that the head fold was strongly stained at embryonic day 8.5. At later developmental stages, Hsf2 expression was progressively limited to the central nervous system. In adults, Hsf2 expression was detected in spermatocytes and spermatogonia, but not in elongated spermatids, spermatozoa, or Sertoli cells.