Background: Activating signal co-integrator 2 (ASC2) functions as a hormone-dependent transcriptional coactivator in cooperation with nuclear receptors such as steroids, retinoids, thyroid hormone, vitamin D3 and prostanoids. ASC2 also interacts with basal transcription factors and may also influence gene expression through its association with histone modifiers. ASC2 has been identified as an amplified gene in breast and other human cancers.