Basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) TFs

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Basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) TFs

Unless otherwise stated all data on this page refer to the human proteins. Gene information is provided for human (Hs), mouse (Mm) and rat (Rn).

Targets

3332

oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 Show summary »« Hide summary

Target Id

3332

Nomenclature

oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2

Genes

OLIG2 (Hs), Olig2 (Mm), Olig2 (Rn)

Ensembl ID

ENSG00000205927 (Hs), ENSMUSG00000039830 (Mm), ENSRNOG00000028658 (Rn)

UniProtKB AC

Q13516 (Hs), Q9EQW6 (Mm)

Inhibitors

CT-179 [2]

OLIG2 inhibitor B01 [3]

Comment

OLIG2 is a CNS-specific transcription factor that is involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation and neural development. It is not expressed in healthy adult brain, but is highly expressed in some CNS tumours where it acts as oncogenic driver. OLIG2 is being investigated as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma [1,3,3].

transcription factor 4 Show summary »« Hide summary

Target Id	3326
Nomenclature	transcription factor 4
Previous and unofficial names	class B basic helix-loop-helix protein 19 (bHLHb19) \| E2-2 \| immunoglobulin transcription factor 2 (ITF2) \| SEF2-1B \| SL3-3 enhancer factor 2
Genes	TCF4 (Hs), Tcf4 (Mm), Tcf4 (Rn)
Ensembl ID	ENSG00000196628 (Hs), ENSMUSG00000053477 (Mm), ENSRNOG00000012405 (Rn)
UniProtKB AC	P15884 (Hs), Q60722 (Mm), Q62655 (Rn)
Comment	A transcription factor that preferentially binds to either 5'-ACANNTGT-3' or 5'-CCANNTGG-3' to initiate transcription. Participates in initiating neuronal differentiation.

References

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1. Kapoor S, Kouznetsova VL, Kesari S, Tsigelny IF. (2025) Epigenetic Regulation of OLIG2 in Glioblastoma: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets to Combat Treatment Resistance. J Mol Neurosci, 75 (3): 112. [PMID:40885881]

2. Li Y, Lim C, Dismuke T, Malawsky DS, Oasa S, Bruce ZC, Offenhäuser C, Baumgartner U, D'Souza RCJ, Edwards SL et al.. (2025) Suppressing recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog subgroup medulloblastoma using the OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179. Nat Commun, 16 (1): 1091. [PMID:39904981]

3. Xu Z, Xi Y, Guo Y, Wang C, Shi Y, Sun D, Zhang Y, Ye F, Xu X, Wang X. (2025) Discovery of novel pyrimidine-4,6-diamine-based OLIG2 inhibitors as potent anti-glioblastoma agents. Eur J Med Chem, 298: 118009. [PMID:40763665]

How to cite this family page

Database page citation:

Basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) TFs. Accessed on 16/12/2025. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY, http://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/FamilyDisplayForward?familyId=1121.

Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY citation:

Alexander SPH, Kelly E, Mathie AA, Peters JA, Veale EL, Armstrong JF, Buneman OP, Faccenda E, Harding SD, Spedding M, Cidlowski JA, Fabbro D, Davenport AP, Striessnig J, Davies JA et al. (2023) The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24: Introduction and Other Protein Targets. Br J Pharmacol. 180 Suppl 2:S1-22.