U2AF2

U2AF2, full name U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 2, is a 65-kDa splicing factor commonly known as U2AF 65. It plays a critical role in pre-mRNA splicing by binding to the polypyrimidine tract (PPT) adjacent to the 3' splice site, forming a heterodimer with U2AF1 (35 kDa) to facilitate recruitment of the U2 snRNP—key for spliceosome assembly and accurate intron removal.
Dysregulation of U2AF2 links to colorectal, breast, and other cancers, where mutations or altered expression drive aberrant splicing events that activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressors. Preclinical studies are exploring small molecules targeting U2AF2-dependent spliceosome complexes to restore normal splicing, offering potential therapies for splicing-related malignancies.