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 can also suppress a number of genes including MCAM/MUC18 and C/EBP alpha. Is involved in the negative regulation of Wnt canonical signaling, and is a transcriptional repressor of MYC (PubMed:33000225). AP-2-alpha is the only AP-2 protein required for early morphogenesis of the lens vesicle. Together with the CITED2 coactivator, stimulates the PITX2 P1 promoter transcription activation. Associates with chromatin to the PITX2 P1 promoter region. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:11694877, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12586840, ECO:0000269|PubMed:33000225}. This is the function of TFAP2A (transcription factor AP-2 alpha, ENSG00000137203).