Matrix remodeling associated 8 (MXRA8) (MXRA8)

Matrix remodeling associated 8 (MXRA8), also known as Limitrin or DICAM, is a type I transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that serves as a critical cell surface receptor for several alphaviruses (Zhang et al., 2018). In oncology, MXRA8 has been identified as the primary entry mediator for the oncolytic M1 virus, a naturally occurring alphavirus with potent anti-tumor activity (Song et al., 2022). The M1 virus utilizes its envelope proteins to bind directly to the extracellular domains of MXRA8, facilitating viral attachment and subsequent internalization into the host cell via endocytosis. While MXRA8 expression is necessary for viral entry, the oncolytic selectivity of M1 is further governed by the intracellular absence of the antiviral factor ZAP (Zinc finger CCCH-type antiviral protein 1) (Lin et al., 2014). Consequently, high levels of MXRA8 on the surface of cancer cells serve as a vital predictive biomarker for the efficacy of M1-based virotherapy in various solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer (Song et al., 2022). Beyond its role in viral pathogenesis, MXRA8 is involved in cell-cell adhesion, angiogenesis, and the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier (Zhang et al., 2018).

Other names

LimitrinDICAMDual Ig domain-containing cell adhesion moleculeASP3Matrix remodeling-associated protein 8

The oncolytic virus M1 binds to the extracellular domains of the MXRA8 receptor on the cancer cell surface, which facilitates viral attachment and internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis.