1. Gene Aliases

Ficolin 2, Ficolin-2, EBP-37, FCNL, Collagen/Fibrinogen Domain-Containing Protein 2, Serum Lectin P35, L-Ficolin, P35, 37 KDa Elastin-Binding Protein, Ficolin-Beta, Ficolin B, Hucolin, Ficolin (Collagen/Fibrinogen Domain-Containing Lectin) 2 (Hucolin), Ficolin (Collagen/Fibrinogen Domain Containing Lectin) 2 (Hucolin), Ficolin (Collagen/Fibrinogen Domain Containing Lectin) 2, Ficolin-B

[https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=FCN2&keywords=FCN2]

2. Association with Toxicity and/or Disease at a Transcriptional Level

3. Summary of Protein Family and Structure

4. Proteins Known to Interact with Gene Product

Interactions with experimental support

Interactions with text mining support

5. Links to Gene Databases

6. GO Terms, MSigDB Signatures, Pathways Containing Gene with Descriptions of Gene Sets

Pathways:

Creation of C4 and C2 activators: Two pathways lead to a complex capable of activating C4 and C2. The classical pathway is triggered by activation of the C1-complex, which consists of hexameric molecule C1q and a tetramer comprising two C1r and two C1s serine proteinases (termed MASPs). This occurs when C1q binds to IgM or IgG complexed with antigens, a single IgM can initiate the pathway while multiple IgGs are needed, or when C1q binds directly to the surface of the pathogen. Binding leads to conformational changes in C1q, activating the serine protease activity of C1r, which then cleaves C1s, another serine protease. The C1r:C1s component is now capable of splitting C4 and C2 to produce the classical C3-convertase C4b2a. C1r and C1s are additionally controlled by C1-inhibitor (Kerr MA 1980).

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins (L-ficolin, M-ficolin and H-ficolin) initiate the lectin pathway cascade by binding to specific carbohydrate patterns on pathogenic cell surfaces. MBL and ficolins circulate in plasma in complexes with homodimers of MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP) (Fujita et al. 2004; Hajela et al. 2002). Upon binding of human lectin (MBL or ficolins) to the target surface the complex of lectin:MASP undergoes conformational changes, which results in the activation of MASPs by cleavage (Matsushita M et al. 2000; Fujita et al. 2004). Activated MASPs become capable of C4 and C2 cleavage, giving rise to the same C3 convertase C4b:C2a as the classical pathway [https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-166786].

Ficolins bind to repetitive carbohydrate structures on the target cell surface: Ficolins are recognition molecules in the lectin pathway of complement activation. Three types of ficolin have been identified in humans: M-ficolin (ficolin-1, FCN1), L-ficolin (ficolin-2, FCN2) and H-ficolin (ficolin-3, FCN3). FCN2 and 3 circulate in blood plasma whereas FCN1 is locally secreted by immune response cells (Teh et al. 2000, Liu et al. 2005, Matsushita et al. 2002). Plasma ficolins circulate as complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs). Upon binding of ficolins to carbohydrates on the target cell surface, MASPs are activated and subsequently activate the complement cascade (Matsushita et al. 2002, Gout et al. 2009). Ficolins function as trimers and larger oligomers. Ficolin peptide sequences contain an amino-terminal cysteine-rich region, a collagen-like domain, a neck region and a carboxy-terminal fibrinogen-like domain. The fibrinogen-like domain binds to pathogen- or apoptotic cell-associated molecular patterns. Different ficolins have distinct recognition specificities (Endo et al. 2007, Thiel and Gadjeva 2009, Garlatti et al. 2010) [https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-2855086].

GO terms:

G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway [The series of molecular signals initiated by a ligand binding to its receptor, in which the activated receptor promotes the exchange of GDP for GTP on the alpha-subunit of an associated heterotrimeric G-protein complex. The GTP-bound activated alpha-G-protein then dissociates from the beta- and gamma-subunits to further transmit the signal within the cell. The pathway begins with receptor-ligand interaction, and ends with regulation of a downstream cellular process. The pathway can start from the plasma membrane, Golgi or nuclear membrane. GO:0007186]

cell surface pattern recognition receptor signaling pathway [The series of molecular signals initiated by a ligand binding to a cell surface pattern recognition receptor (PRR). PRRs bind pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPs), structures conserved among microbial species. GO:0002752]

complement activation, lectin pathway [Any process involved in the activation of any of the steps of the lectin pathway of the complement cascade which allows for the direct killing of microbes and the regulation of other immune processes.|Note that proteins such as mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and certain serum ficolins can activate the lectin complement pathway. GO:0001867]

negative regulation of viral entry into host cell [Any process that stops, prevents, or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of the entry of viral entry into a host cell. GO:0046597]

positive regulation of interleukin-8 production [Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate, or extent of interleukin-8 production. GO:0032757]

positive regulation of opsonization [Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of opsonization. GO:1903028]

protein localization to cell surface [A process in which a protein is transported to, or maintained in, a location within the external part of the cell wall and/or plasma membrane. GO:0034394]

proteolysis [The hydrolysis of proteins into smaller polypeptides and/or amino acids by cleavage of their peptide bonds.|This term was intentionally placed under 'protein metabolic process ; GO:0019538' rather than 'protein catabolic process ; GO:0030163' to cover all processes centered on breaking peptide bonds, including those involved in protein processing. GO:0006508]

recognition of apoptotic cell [The process in which a cell interprets signals (in the form of specific proteins and lipids) on the surface of a dying cell which it will engulf and remove by phagocytosis. GO:0043654]

MSigDB Signatures:

HSIAO_LIVER_SPECIFIC_GENES: Liver selective genes [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/HSIAO_LIVER_SPECIFIC_GENES.html]

CAIRO_HEPATOBLASTOMA_DN: Genes down-regulated in hepatoblastoma samples compared to normal liver tissue. [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/CAIRO_HEPATOBLASTOMA_DN.html]

ACEVEDO_METHYLATED_IN_LIVER_CANCER_DN: Genes whose DNA is hypo-methylated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to normal liver. [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/ACEVEDO_METHYLATED_IN_LIVER_CANCER_DN.html]

WP_COMPLEMENT_SYSTEM: Complement system [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/WP_COMPLEMENT_SYSTEM.html]

CARRILLOREIXACH_HEPATOBLASTOMA_VS_NORMAL_DN: Genes down-regulated in hepatoblastoma (HB) tumors as compared with non-tumor (NT) adjacent tissue. [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/CARRILLOREIXACH_HEPATOBLASTOMA_VS_NORMAL_DN.html]

REACTOME_INNATE_IMMUNE_SYSTEM: Innate Immune System [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/REACTOME_INNATE_IMMUNE_SYSTEM.html]

KEGG_MEDICUS_PATHOGEN_SARS_COV_2_S_N_TO_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE: Pathway Definition from KEGG: (S,N) -> (MBL2,COLEC10/11,FCN) [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/KEGG_MEDICUS_PATHOGEN_SARS_COV_2_S_N_TO_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE.html]

KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE_FIBRINOGEN_TO_FIBRIN: Pathway Definition from KEGG: FG -- (F2a,((MBL2,COLEC10/11,FCN)+MASP1)) -> Fibrin [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE_FIBRINOGEN_TO_FIBRIN.html]

KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COMPLEMENT_CASCADE_C4_C2_TO_C3_CONVERTASE_FORMATION: Pathway Definition from KEGG: [C4,C2] -- ((MBL2,COLEC10/11,FCN)+MASP1/2) -> [C4b,C2a] -> (C4b+C2a) [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COMPLEMENT_CASCADE_C4_C2_TO_C3_CONVERTASE_FORMATION.html]

REACTOME_INITIAL_TRIGGERING_OF_COMPLEMENT: Initial triggering of complement [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/REACTOME_INITIAL_TRIGGERING_OF_COMPLEMENT.html]

REACTOME_COMPLEMENT_CASCADE: Complement cascade [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/REACTOME_COMPLEMENT_CASCADE.html]

KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE_PROTHROMBIN_TO_THROMBIN: Pathway Definition from KEGG: F2 -- ((MBL2,COLEC10/11,FCN)+MASP2) -> F2a [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/KEGG_MEDICUS_REFERENCE_LECTIN_PATHWAY_OF_COAGULATION_CASCADE_PROTHROMBIN_TO_THROMBIN.html]

FARMER_BREAST_CANCER_APOCRINE_VS_LUMINAL: Genes which best discriminate between two groups of breast cancer according to the status of ESR1 and AR [GeneID=2099;367]: apocrine (ESR1- AR+) and luminal (ESR1+ AR+). [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/FARMER_BREAST_CANCER_APOCRINE_VS_LUMINAL.html]

NABA_MATRISOME_ASSOCIATED: Ensemble of genes encoding ECM-associated proteins including ECM-affilaited proteins, ECM regulators and secreted factors [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/NABA_MATRISOME_ASSOCIATED.html]

FARMER_BREAST_CANCER_APOCRINE_VS_BASAL: Genes which best discriminate between two groups of breast cancer according the status of ESR1 and AR [GeneID=2099;367]: apocrine (ESR1- AR+) vs basal (ESR1- AR-). [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/FARMER_BREAST_CANCER_APOCRINE_VS_BASAL.html]

REACTOME_CREATION_OF_C4_AND_C2_ACTIVATORS: Creation of C4 and C2 activators [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/REACTOME_CREATION_OF_C4_AND_C2_ACTIVATORS.html]

REACTOME_FICOLINS_BIND_TO_REPETITIVE_CARBOHYDRATE_STRUCTURES_ON_THE_TARGET_CELL_SURFACE: Ficolins bind to repetitive carbohydrate structures on the target cell surface [https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/geneset/REACTOME_FICOLINS_BIND_TO_REPETITIVE_CARBOHYDRATE_STRUCTURES_ON_THE_TARGET_CELL_SURFACE.html]

7. Gene Descriptions

NCBI Gene Summary: The product of this gene belongs to the ficolin family of proteins. This family is characterized by the presence of a leader peptide, a short N-terminal segment, followed by a collagen-like region, and a C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain. This gene is predominantly expressed in the liver, and has been shown to have carbohydrate binding and opsonic activities. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

GeneCards Summary: FCN2 (Ficolin 2) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with FCN2 include Rheumatic Heart Disease and Tonsillitis. Among its related pathways are Initial triggering of complement and Complement cascade. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include calcium ion binding and calcium-dependent protein binding. An important paralog of this gene is FCN1.

UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Summary: May function in innate immunity through activation of the lectin complement pathway. Calcium-dependent and GlcNAc-binding lectin. Enhances phagocytosis of S.typhimurium by neutrophils, suggesting an opsonic effect via the collagen region.

8. Cellular Location of Gene Product

Predicted location: Secreted [https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000160339/subcellular]

9. Mechanistic Information

Summary

L-ficolin, encoded by Fcnb, acts by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns, particularly in Gram-positive bacteria and viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), to activate the lectin complement pathway, leading to pathogen opsonization and lysis. This mechanism is crucial for clearing infections that may exacerbate hepatic conditions [CS: 8]. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), decreased expression of FCN2 is associated with an impaired immune response, manifested in an inability to efficiently opsonize and clear pathogens or tumoral cells [CS: 7]. This deficiency may promote a pro-metastatic environment within the liver, aiding disease progression [CS: 6]. Furthermore, the antioxidant function of the ficolin/P35 complex mopping out free radicals indicates a protective role against oxidative stress, a common feature in various liver injuries and diseases [CS: 5].

During acute systemic inflammation or liver injury, FCN2 is upregulated as an acute phase reactant, enhancing pathogen clearance [CS: 9]. In the case of HCV infection, increased FCN2 assists by binding to viral particles, inhibiting their entry into cells, and preventing the spread of infection within the liver [CS: 8]. The gene's product also inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis of HCC via the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway [CS: 7]. However, when dysregulated, such protective responses are diminished, potentially contributing to unchecked inflammation, compromised innate immune defense, and perpetuation of liver damage [CS: 6].

10. Upstream Regulators

11. Tissues/Cell Type Where Genes are Overexpressed

Tissue type enchanced: liver (tissue enriched) [https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000160339/tissue]

Cell type enchanced: endothelial cells, fibroblasts, kupffer cells (group enriched) [https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000160339/single+cell+type]

12. Role of Gene in Other Tissues

13. Chemicals Known to Elicit Transcriptional Response of Biomarker in Tissue of Interest

Compounds that increase expression of the gene:

Compounds that decrease expression of the gene:

14. DisGeNet Biomarker Associations to Disease in Organ of Interest

Most relevant biomarkers with lower score or lower probability of association with disease or organ of interest: