Background
U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 2 is the large subunit of the U2 auxiliary factor that plays an essential role in the splicing of pre-mRNA to generate functional mRNA transcripts. U2AF2 forms a heterodimer with the small U2AF1 subunit to create the U2AF that recognizes the 3' splice site and facilitates spliceosome assembly. Research studies indicate that U2AF1 binds to the 3' splice site consensus AG dinucleotide at the intron-exon boundary while U2AF2 recognizes and binds the polypyrimidine tract upstream of the 3’ splice site. These two steps ensure accurate spliceosome assembly at splice sites. Mutations in U2AF2, which alter its splicing capabilities, have been described in various cancers.
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