586 | id == 586
586 | category_id == 63
586 | category_order == 28
586 | category_name == Skin Health
586 | category_color == #C47AC0
586 | slug == MX2-melanoma
586 | title == Interferons and Virus Defense Mechanisms in Melanoma (MX2)
586 | meta_description == MX2 normally helps defend the body against viral infection. Can poor regulation of this gene increase the risk of melanoma?
586 | summary == <p><strong><em>MX2 </em>normally helps defend the body against viral infection. Can poor regulation of this gene increase the risk of melanoma? Find out here.</strong></p>
586 | overall_score_text == Your Melanoma Score (based on MX2)
586 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/MX2-Melanoma.jpg
586 | author_id == 1
586 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
586 | author_title == BSc, BEd
586 | author_order == 36
586 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
586 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
586 | reviewer == None
586 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
586 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
586 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
586 | publish_date == 2021
586 | publish_date == 1
586 | publish_date == 4
586 | avg_rating == 5.0
586 | tags_id == 164
586 | tags_name == Cancer
586 | tags_id == 1087
586 | tags_name == Cell Cycle
586 | tags_id == 1063
586 | tags_name == IFN-alpha
586 | tags_id == 95
586 | tags_name == Immune System
586 | tags_id == 343
586 | tags_name == Interferons
586 | tags_id == 1100
586 | tags_name == Melanoma
586 | tags_id == 1099
586 | tags_name == MX2 Gene
586 | tags_id == 1101
586 | tags_name == Skin Cancer
586 | tags_id == 1062
586 | tags_name == Type I Interferon
586 | permissions_favorite == False
586 | permissions_rate == False
586 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes MX dynamin like GTPase 2 or myxovirus resistance-2. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in melanoma by altering the rate of growth and development of melanoma cells. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by regulating </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> expression.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>MX2</em></strong><strong> and Melanoma</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/mx2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2 </span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene encodes MX dynamin like GTPase 2 (also known as myxovirus resistance-2), a protein that helps defend the body against infection by HIV and other similar viruses [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4600"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3912734/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is an immune response protein that recognizes viral infections and triggers an appropriate response. When IFN-alpha recognizes HIV (or other closely related viruses), it activates MX2. Researchers believe that MX2 then attacks the virus by either disrupting its genetic code or preventing it from inserting viral proteins into human cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3912734/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More recently, MX2 has been implicated in cutaneous melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7180100/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264232/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The relationship between MX2 and melanoma appears complex. In most experimental melanomas, the most dangerous types of cells expressed lower levels of MX2. Furthermore, patients with high MX2 in their melanomas are more likely to live for longer. However, in some melanoma cells, the opposite is true. In both cases, researchers believe that MX2 is involved with the growth and division of the melanoma cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7180100/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interferons may be deficient in melanoma, and some researchers have even suggested directly administering interferons in melanoma patients [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1868213/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25511547/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to one study, genetic variants that increase </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression were associated with higher rates of melanoma development. This study further reinforces the complex relationship between this gene and melanoma [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264232/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene normally helps defend the body against viral infection. This gene has a complex relationship with melanoma; both high and low levels have been associated with poor prognosis in different studies.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>MX2</em></strong><strong> Results for Melanoma</strong></h2> <p>*6868596241241663*</p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/mx2/"><strong>MX2</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs45430/"><strong>rs45430</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/21983787"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of melanoma</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Possibly protective against melanoma</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele may increase </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> expression and allow melanoma cells to grow and divide uncontrolled [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264232/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7180100/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p>*2960227453761994*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Preventing Melanoma</strong></h2> <p>*2742481209885435*</p> <h3><strong>Limit Alcohol Intake</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to one study, people who chronically drink a lot of alcohol have different </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene expression than those who do not regularly drink [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5529570/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meta-analyses of 20 studies have associated moderate alcohol consumption with a slight increase (7-18%) in the overall incidence of melanoma. A study of 1374 cases found that alcohol specifically increased the risk of melanoma in sites with low exposure to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sunlight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (such as the trunk) [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24495200/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29327230/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5137801/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chronically drinking alcohol may change </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene expression and increase susceptibility to melanomas.</span></span></p> <h3><strong>Vitamin B9/Folate</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some studies suggest that vitamin B9 (folate) regulates the expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7344520/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplementation with a combination of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin B6</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (pyridoxine), </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/16-proven-benefits-vitamin-b9-folate-folic-acid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">B9</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/16-proven-benefits-vitamin-b9-folate-folic-acid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">folic acid</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b12/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">B1</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b12/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cobalamin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) was associated with a reduced incidence of melanoma in 3 studies of over 119,000 people [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22474057/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16531613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2593624/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To avoid deficiency, the National Institutes of Health recommends a daily intake of at least 400 mcg of bioavailable folate. The foods richest in naturally occurring folate include liver, spinach, black-eyed peas, and green vegetables. Many foods are fortified with folic acid, but the most bioavailable supplemental form is methylfolate [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Folate may regulate </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene expression and reduce incidence of melanoma.</span></span></p> <h3><strong>CoQ10</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People who are deficient in CoQ10 may express </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> differently compared to those with normal CoQ10 levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612821/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low blood levels of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/coenzyme-q10-ubiquinol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">coenzyme Q10</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have been associated with melanoma incidence and progression [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16443053"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a small uncontrolled study of people with early-stage melanoma, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (400 mg/day) as an add-on to interferon for 3 years reduced the rates of recurrence without causing adverse effects [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17505263/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with CoQ10 deficiency may have altered </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MX2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene expression and may be more likely to develop melanomas.</span></span></p>
586 | content_snp_table_6868596241241663_key == 6868596241241663
586 | content_snp_table_6868596241241663_blur == True
586 | content_snp_table_6868596241241663_hidden == False
586 | content_learn_more_2960227453761994_key == 2960227453761994
586 | content_learn_more_2960227453761994_blur == True
586 | content_learn_more_2960227453761994_hidden == False
586 | content_learn_more_2960227453761994_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your MX2 gene is somewhat associated with dysregulated cell growth. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of melanoma; it’s just one gene related to it. Limiting alcohol intake and supplementing with folate and CoQ10 may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
586 | content_recommendation_2742481209885435_key == 2742481209885435
586 | content_recommendation_2742481209885435_blur == True
586 | content_recommendation_2742481209885435_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs45430
rsStatus = rs45430,MX2,chr21,41374154,C,T,,,11,29,HET
