ADNP2 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor essential for neural development and cellular protection. As a DNA-binding protein with transcriptional repressor activity 1, ADNP2 functions primarily in two interconnected roles: neural induction and retrotransposon silencing. During early development, ADNP2 promotes neuroectoderm specification by directly suppressing BMP-related ved/vent homeobox genes, thereby antagonizing ventralizing signals 1. In somatic cells, ADNP2 assembles into the ChAHP2 chr18-remodeling complex with CHD4 and HP1β proteins, targeting endogenous retroviruses and LINE elements via H3K9me3-mediated chr18 binding for repression 2. Additionally, ADNP2 regulates erythropoiesis through direct recruitment to the β-globin locus control region, promoting globin synthesis and erythroid maturation 3. ADNP2 protects neurons from oxidative stress through involvement in autophagy pathways and cellular survival mechanisms 4. Mutations in ADNP2 cause neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, characterized by altered synaptic transmission, microtubule dynamics disruption, and behavioral abnormalities 5. Environmental stressors exacerbate these phenotypes, suggesting complex gene-environment interactions in disease pathogenesis 5.