AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 2 (ARID2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ARID2 gene.

Function

ARID2 is a subunit of the PBAF chromatin-remodeling complex, which facilitates ligand-dependent transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors.

Structure

The ARID2 protein contains two conserved C-terminal C 2 H 2 zinc fingers motifs, a region rich in the amino acid residues proline and glutamine, a RFX (regulatory factor X)-type winged-helix DNA-binding domain, and a conserved N-terminal AT-rich DNA interaction domain—the last domain for which the protein is named.

Clinical significance

Mutation studies have revealed ARID2 to be a significant tumor suppressor in many cancer subtypes. ARID2 mutations are prevalent in hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma. Mutations are present in a smaller but significant fraction in a wide range of other tumors. ARID2 mutations are enriched in hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma in the US and European patient populations compared with the overall mutation frequency.