Identification of a novel transcript of human MD2 gene

• A novel transcript (MD2-T3) for human MD2 was identified.
• MD2-T3 transcript variant skips exon 2 and 3 of MD2 gene.
• MD2-T3 isoform may play regulatory roles in LPS-triggered TLR4 signaling

Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) regulates bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggered anti-bacterial immune response as a broker between LPS and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In this study, we identified a novel naturally occurring spliceosome of human MD2, termed as MD2-T3. This transcript lacked two exons of MD2 gene. By protein structure analysis and literature review, we predicted that MD2-T3 isoform might execute regulatory biological effects such as limiting LPS-triggered TLR4 signaling.