The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family. The TRIM motif includes three zinc-binding domains, a RING, a B-box type 1 and a B-box type 2, and a coiled-coil region. The protein localizes to microtubular structures in the cytoplasm. Its function has not been identified. Alternate splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants encoding different isoforms.[6]
Recent reports indicate the involvement of MID2 in cytokinesis [7][8].MID2 (TRIM1) ubiquitinates Sperm-associated antigen 5 (Astrin) on K409, further promoting its degradation and proper cytokinesis.[8] In contrary, depletion of MID2 (TRIM1) stabilizes Sperm-associated antigen 5 (Astrin) whose inappropriate accumulation at the midbody triggers cytokinetic arrest, multinucleated cells, and cell death.[7][8]
MID2 (TRIM1) interacts with Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), which is often subject to missense mutations in familial Parkinson's disease (PD).[11] MID2 (TRIM1) specifically binds to the flexible regulatory loop of LRRK2853–981.[11] MID2 (TRIM1) recruits LRRK2 to the microtubule cytoskeleton where MID2 (TRIM1) ubiquitinates LRRK2 targeting it for proteasomal degradation.[11]
Perry J, Short KM, Romer JT, Swift S, Cox TC, Ashworth A (December 1999). "FXY2/MID2, a gene related to the X-linked Opitz syndrome gene FXY/MID1, maps to Xq22 and encodes a FNIII domain-containing protein that associates with microtubules". Genomics. 62 (3): 385–394. doi:10.1006/geno.1999.6043. PMID10644436.