Specificity
The Dynamin family of microtubule-associated proteins function as GTPases that are involved in microtubule bundling and endocytosis. In mice, Mx2 (myxovirus resistance protein 2) and Mx1 (myxovirus resistance protein 1) are members of the Dynamin family that are involved in the immune response to viral infections. Localized to the cytoplasm, Mx2 contains one GED domain and is expressed in response to viral infection or treatment by IFN-a/IFN-b. Once expression is induced, Mx2 accumulates in the cytoplasm and inhibits the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), thereby conferring resistance to VSV infection. Unlike Mx2, Mx1 is localized to the nucleus where, upon induction by IFN-a/IFN-b, it provides selective resistance to infection by the highly lethal H5N1 influenza virus. In humans, MxA and MxB function in a similar manner to Mx1 and Mx2, conferring resistance to specific target viruses. Mx3 is a rat-specific member of the myxovirus resistance protein family.
