B230219D22Rik, with its human ortholog C5orf24, is a gene with significant biological functions. It encodes feimin, a key modulator in glucose homeostasis [1]. Feimin is secreted from skeletal muscle during feeding and binds to MERTK, promoting glucose uptake and inhibiting glucose production via AKT activation. This indicates its role in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Additionally, it has been associated with stroke risk, as its expression in microglial cells may influence the risk of stroke [2].

In mouse models, the role of B230219D22Rik-orthologous to C5orf24 in humans-was investigated. In the context of glucose homeostasis, administration of feimin and insulin synergistically improved blood glucose in normal and diabetic mice. Also, a specific SNP in the MERTK gene affecting feimin-MERTK binding led to elevated postprandial glucose and insulin levels in humans [1]. In stroke research, the gene's expression was reduced in mouse and human cell stroke models. MR analysis found an inverse relationship between increased C5orf24 levels and stroke risk, and overexpression of C5orf24 in vitro inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 [2].

In conclusion, B230219D22Rik is crucial for glucose homeostasis and may be a potential therapeutic target for diabetes. Its role in stroke, where elevated levels are associated with reduced stroke risk, also makes it a promising drug target for stroke treatment. Studies using mouse models have provided valuable insights into these functions, highlighting its importance in these disease areas [1,2].

References:

1. Shi, Xiaoliu, Hu, Xiao, Fang, Xinlei, Wang, Jiqiu, Wang, Yiguo. 2025. A feeding-induced myokine modulates glucose homeostasis. In Nature metabolism, 7, 68-83. doi:10.1038/s42255-024-01175-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39747483/

2. Gao, Ran, Xu, Yaqi, Zhang, Min, Su, Wenting, Wang, Renxi. 2025. From Gene Discovery to Stroke Risk: C5orf24's Pivotal Role Uncovered. In Molecular neurobiology, , . doi:10.1007/s12035-025-04802-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40038197/