The Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 or SATB2 is a transcription factor required for the initiation of the genetic program for the upper-layer neurons (UL1).
Together with Ctip 2, Coup-TFI, and Fezf2 it is involved in the fine-tuned sequential formation and specification of the different excitatory neuron populations forming the definitive six-layered cortical structure (1-4).
Beyond its pivotal role in neurodevelopment, SATB2 is also expressed in non-neuronal tissues, notably in the epithelium of the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the colon. In normal physiology, it is strongly expressed in glandular cells of the colorectal mucosa. In pathology, SATB2 serves as a highly sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker for colorectal epithelial differentiation and is expressed in the majority of primary and metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas (5, 6). This colonic expression pattern makes SATB2 a valuable diagnostic biomarker in surgical pathology, particularly in determining the origin of metastatic lesions.