Background of the antigen
The Makorins are a family of putative ribonucleoproteins containing two to four C3H zinc fingers that may confer RNA-binding. In addition, they contain a C3HC4 RING zinc finger that allows them to function as E3 ubiquitin ligases. Makorin-2, also known as RNF62, HSPC070 or MKRN2, is a widely expressed, evolutionarily conserved protein with four C3H-type zinc fingers (three at the N-terminus and one at the C-terminus), one RING-type zinc finger and a cysteine and histidine motif similar to that found in Makorin-1. In Xenopus, Makorin-2 functions, via PI 3-kinase/Akt signaling, as a negative regulator of neurogenesis. In humans, Makorin-2 is overexpressed in various cancer cell lines, suggesting a possible role of Makorin-2 in tumor progression. In addition, Makorin-2 is co-expressed with Raf-1 in the same tissues and cell lines.
