Sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that interacts with inducible viral and cellular enhancer elements to regulate transcription of selected genes. AP-2 factors bind to the consensus sequence 5'-GCCNNNGGC-3' and activate genes involved in a large spectrum of important biological functions including proper eye, face, body wall, limb and neural tube development. They also suppress a number of genes including MCAM/MUC18, C/EBP alpha and MYC. AP-2-beta appears to be required for normal face and limb development and for proper terminal differentiation and function of renal tubular epithelia. Binds DNA as a dimer. Can form homodimers or heterodimers with other AP-2 family members. Interacts with CITED4. Interacts with UBE2I. Interacts with KCTD1; this interaction represses transcription activation. Interacts with CITED2 (via C-terminus); the interaction stimulates TFAP2B-transcriptional activity (By similarity). In the brain, localizes to the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and the accumbens nucleus of the ventral striatum. Localizes to neurons in areas of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hypothalamus (at protein level). Expressed from embryo day 9.5 to birth. In day 13.5 embryo, expressed abundantly in cells coating the neural tube. Expression continues posteriorly in the spinal cord, the dorsal root ganglia, in the prevertebal sympathic ganglia and the ganglion nodosum. High expression found in the dorsal and anteriolateral primordium of the midbrain. Expression also found in skin, kidneys and in many areas of the facial mesenchyme. In adults, expressed in the eye, skin, kidney, prostate, thymus, skeletal muscle and, very weakly in the brain. Highest levels found in kidney. During retinoic acid-mediated differentiation. Up-regulated by starvation and a high fat diet (PubMed:25187989). Sumoylated (PubMed:25187989). Sumoylated on Lys-21; which inhibits transcriptional activity (By similarity). Belongs to the AP-2 family.