Transcriptional regulator implicated in neuronal determination. Mediates calcium-dependent transcription activation by binding to E box-containing promoter. Critical factor essential for the repression of the genetic program for neuronal differentiation; prevents the formation of synaptic vesicle clustering at active zone to the presynaptic membrane in postmitotic neurons. Induces transcription of ZEB1, which in turn represses neuronal differentiation by down-regulating REST expression. Plays a role in the establishment and maturation of thalamocortical connections; involved in the segregation of thalamic afferents into distinct barrel domains within layer VI of the somatosensory cortex. Involved in the development of the cerebellar and hippocampal granular neurons, neurons in the basolateral nucleus of amygdala and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Associates with chromatin to the DPYSL3 E box-containing promoter. Interacts with TCF3, TCF4 and TCF12. Interacts with CDC20. Efficient DNA-binding and transcription activation require dimerization with another bHLH protein. Expressed in the external germinal layer (EGL) and internal granular layer (IGL) of the cerebellum (at protein level). Expressed in layers V and VI of the neocortex at postnatal day 1. Expressed in all layers of the neocortex at postnatal day 4. Strongly expressed in layer IV of the neocortex, particularly in the barrel cortex at postnatal day 7. Expressed in the CA1, CA2 and CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and many nuclei such as the habenular thalamic nuclei, paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei, amygdala nuclei, and pyramidal nucleus. Expressed in granule cells, molecular layer neurons, and deep cerebella nuclei of the cerebellum. Expressed in brainstem neurons in the external cuneate nucleus and central gray. Expressed in dorsal and ventral parts of the lateral, basolateral and basomedial amygdala at 17 and 18 dpc (at protein level). Initially expressed in embryo at 11 dpc, with persistent expression in the nervous system until birth. The C-terminal region is necessary for depolarization-induced and calcium-dependent transcription activation. Ubiquitinated by the APC/C complex; leading to its degradation in neurons. The CDC20-APC/C-induced degradation of NEUROD2 drives presynaptic differentiation. Mice exhibit small brains, ataxia, reduced seizure threshold, growth failure, and postnatal premature death. Show excessive apoptosis in central nervous system. Lacks nuclei of the lateral and basolateral amygdala. Organization of cortical neurons into barrel structures is disrupted; thalamocortical axon terminals fail to segregate in the somatosensory cortex.