Mx2 - MX dynamin-like GTPase 2 Gene

This gene encodes a member of the Mx protein family of large GTPases, and functions in the innate immunity system. Interferon alpha/beta treatment or viral Infection induces expression of this protein, which subsequently accumulates in the cytoplasm and inhibits viral replication. It has been shown to confer resistance to vesicular stomatitis virus, a member of the rhabdovirus family, but not to Influenza Virus. This gene produces a functional protein in some feral mouse strains, whereas some inbred mouse strains including the strain of the reference genome, C57BL/6J, contain a frameshift that inactivates this gene product. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]