SNAI2 encodes a member of the Snail family of C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factors. The encoded protein acts as a transcriptional repressor that binds to E-box motifs and is also likely to repress E-cadherin transcription in breast carcinoma. This protein is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions and has antiapoptotic activity. Mutations in this gene may be associated with sporadic cases of neural tube defects.

The deduced 268-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of approximately 30 kD. It contains 5 zinc finger regions and shares 95% amino acid identity with mouse Slug. Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.2-kb SLUG transcript in placenta and adult heart, pancreas, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle.