Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (IFIT2)

Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (IFIT2) is a type I interferon-stimulated gene product characterized by multiple tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs, which enable it to interact with other proteins and nucleic acids[1][2]. IFIT2 is mainly induced in response to interferon signaling during viral infection. Its primary functions include binding to AU-rich elements in RNA—particularly viral RNAs lacking 2'-O-methylation at the 5' cap—thereby distinguishing non-self from self and inhibiting the translation of viral transcripts[3][6]. IFIT2 exerts broad antiviral effects, particularly against neurotropic RNA viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus by protecting neurons and other cell types[5][4]. In addition to its role in innate immunity, IFIT2 has a well-documented pro-apoptotic activity, affecting the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway of apoptosis and influencing cancer cell survival, migration, and metastasis[2]. Altered expression of IFIT2 is associated with more aggressive cancer phenotypes and poor prognosis in some tumor types[2]. IFIT2 has no known catalytic activity and functions via RNA binding and protein-protein interactions; its action is crucial for the cell-autonomous control of viral infection and for the regulation of apoptosis in both normal and disease states[6][1][5].

Other names

ISG54CIG-42G10P2IFI54IFIT-2IFI-54KP54ISG-54KISG-54cig42GARG-39ISG-54 KInterferon-induced 54 kDa proteinInterferon, alpha-inducible protein (MW 54kD)interferon-induced protein 54

RNA binding (preferentially to AU-rich or unmethylated RNA) Disruption of viral mRNA expression/translation Activation of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway[2][6].