Chromosome 2 open reading frame 81 (C2orf81)

Chromosome 2 open reading frame 81 (C2orf81) encodes a human protein with largely unknown function, predicted to have nuclear localization and regulatory roles in transcription. Most available data classify it as a poorly characterized, noncanonical protein-coding gene. C2orf81 is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2 (minus strand, bases 74,414,176 to 74,421,591, comprising four exons). The canonical protein has 615 amino acids with a molecular weight of 66.6 kDa. The major protein domain is DUF4639 (domain of unknown function) which spans most of the sequence, and the protein is evolutionarily conserved among mammals, with high sequence identity to primate homologs. The gene is expressed predominantly in the testis and kidneys, as well as at lower levels in many other tissues. Its expression in disease settings includes various cancers (glioma, neoplasm, lymphoma). There is some evidence of post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation (on serines), O-linked glycosylation, and a potential SUMOylation site. Functionally, C2orf81 is mostly uncharacterized; its protein product has nuclear localization, and is predicted (but not experimentally demonstrated) to regulate DNA-templated transcription. In databases and large-scale proteomic surveys, it is categorized among proteins with missing or uncertain evidence due to lack of comprehensive functional annotation or experimental validation. Currently, C2orf81 is not considered a canonical therapeutic target (not a receptor, enzyme, transporter, ion channel, or transcription factor). No drugs or small molecules have been described to interact with C2orf81, and it is not used as a clinical biomarker or linked to any clear safety concerns. Its potential association with disease is indirect, mostly via gene locus overlaps or altered expression in cancer-testis antigen landscapes.

Other names

LOC388963hCG40743Uncharacterized protein C2orf81C2orf81uncharacterized protein C2orf81