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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Prediction and Validation of Gene Regulatory Elements Activated During Retinoic Acid Induced Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Published on: June 21, 2016
WTIP interacts with ASXL2 and blocks ASXL2-mediated activation of retinoic acid signaling
Farida F Khan1, Yanyang Li1, Arjun Balyan1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 900 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
Abstract:
The Asx-like (ASXL) family proteins are chromatin factors that play dual roles in transcriptional activation and repression. ASXL2 is highly expressed in the heart and is required for proper heart development and function. Here, we identify a novel ASXL2-binding partner, the LIM domain-containing protein WTIP. Genetic and biochemical assays show a direct interaction between ASXL2 and WTIP. In HeLa cells, ASXL2 enhances retinoic acid-dependent luciferase activity, while WTIP represses it. Furthermore, WTIP blocks ASXL2's stimulatory effect on transcription. In addition, we found that ASXL2 and WTIP are expressed in mouse embryonic epicardial cells, a tissue that is regulated by retinoic acid signaling. Together, these results implicate ASXL2 and WTIP in regulation of retinoic acid signaling during heart development.
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