Emerging therapeutic significance of MEF2C : Structure, function and its implications in diseases

Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is a critical transcription factor and plays a pivotal role in muscle development, cardiac reprogramming, cellular differentiation, and disease pathogenesis. In this review, we have systematically described the structural characteristics of the MEF2C protein, particularly its DNA-binding MADS-box and transcriptional regulatory domains, and outlined the multi-level regulation mechanism of its expression and activity. We further have highlighted the functional roles of MEF2C in heart and skeletal muscle development, including its involvement in cardiomyocyte differentiation and reprogramming, and its pathological implications in heart and skeletal muscle diseases. Finally, we have summarized the pathological implications of MEF2C in neurological disorders and tumorigenesis and underlined its role as a regulator in the body's inflammatory response, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding its physiological and pathological implications and for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting MEF2C-related diseases.