Nuclear RNA export factor 2 (NXF2)

Nuclear RNA export factor 2 (NXF2) is an RNA-binding and nucleocytoplasmic transport protein involved in exporting mRNAs from the nucleus and regulating their localization and metabolism in the cytoplasm. As a member of the NXF family, NXF2 is structurally similar to NXF1 but is distinguished by testis-specific expression under normal physiology and by functioning as a cancer/testis antigen in cancers such as acute leukemia. NXF2 interacts with nucleoporins and cytoplasmic motor proteins to mediate both nuclear export and cytoplasmic mRNA trafficking. It is epigenetically silenced in most somatic tissues but can be reactivated by hypomethylating drugs like decitabine, which makes it a potential immunotherapy target in hematologic malignancies. NXF2 has also been implicated in male infertility due to its role in germ cell RNA export and function

Other names

TCP11X2TAPL-2CT39TAPL2Cancer/testis antigen 39TAP-like protein 2t-complex protein 11 homolog

Demethylating agents (such as decitabine) upregulate NXF2 by reversing CpG island hypermethylation, allowing NXF2 to be expressed in certain cancer cells and potentially targeting it for immunotherapy