MARCHF2, also known as membrane associated ring-CH-type finger 2, is a gene with diverse functions. As a member of the MARCH protein family of RING-CH finger E3 ubiquitin ligases, it plays important roles in regulating cell-surface protein levels, and is involved in processes like antiviral defense, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and potentially in the regulation of insulin-related factors [1,2,3,4,5].

Multiple studies have shown its significance. In the context of HIV-1 infection, human MARCH2 restricts the infection in primary CD4+ T cells by preventing the incorporation of envelope glycoproteins into nascent virions and reducing particle infectivity [1]. It also blocks Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein cleavage in a manner conserved across different mammalian species [2]. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), MARCH2 acts as an oncogene-regulated SNAIL E3 ligase, suppressing TNBC metastases by promoting SNAIL degradation [3]. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), KLF15-activated MARCH2 boosts cell proliferation and EMT, and has diagnostic significance [4]. A genome-wide association study in Chinese Han people found that genetic variants of MARCHF2 are significantly correlated with 2-hour postprandial proinsulin, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for prediabetes prevention [5].

In conclusion, MARCHF2 is a multifunctional gene involved in antiviral defense, cancer-related processes such as metastasis and cell proliferation, and potentially in metabolic regulation related to insulin. These functions have been revealed through in-vivo and functional studies, highlighting its importance in understanding viral infections, cancer biology, and metabolic diseases.

References:

1. Umthong, Supawadee, Timilsina, Uddhav, D'Angelo, Mary R, Salka, Kyle, Stavrou, Spyridon. 2024. MARCH2, a T cell specific factor that restricts HIV-1 infection. In PLoS pathogens, 20, e1012330. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1012330. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074162/

2. Yu, Changqing, Bai, Yuanzhe, Tan, Wenbo, Zheng, Chunfu, Liu, Qiang. . Human MARCH1, 2, and 8 block Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein cleavage via targeting furin P domain. In Journal of medical virology, 96, e29445. doi:10.1002/jmv.29445. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38299743/

3. Ito, Koichi, Harada, Ibuki, Martinez, Criseyda, Zhu, Jun, Irie, Hanna Y. . MARCH2, a Novel Oncogene-regulated SNAIL E3 Ligase, Suppresses Triple-negative Breast Cancer Metastases. In Cancer research communications, 4, 946-957. doi:10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0090. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38457262/

4. Ni, Dongsheng, Qi, Zhaolai, Wang, Yuefeng, Li, Jian, Li, Guoping. 2024. KLF15-activated MARCH2 boosts cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition and presents diagnostic significance for hepatocellular carcinoma. In Experimental cell research, 440, 114117. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38848952/

5. Lin, Leweihua, Quan, Huibiao, Fang, Tuanyu, Chen, Kaining, Zhou, Zhiguang. 2022. Genome-wide association study of fasting proinsulin, fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial proinsulin, and 2-hour postprandial insulin in Chinese Han people. In Endokrynologia Polska, 73, 856-862. doi:10.5603/EP.a2022.0054. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35971929/