Charged multivesicular body protein 4A (CHMP4A)

Charged multivesicular body protein 4A (CHMP4A) is a core component of the ESCRT-III (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport III), a multi-protein machinery required for the final stages of membrane remodeling events including formation of endocytic multivesicular bodies (MVBs), cytokinesis, exosome biogenesis, and viral budding (notably HIV-1). CHMP4A forms spiral filaments at endosomal membranes and interacts directly with proteins such as ALIX via its C-terminal amphipathic helix, enabling essential membrane fission. Some ESCRT-III members, including CHMP4A, have both cytoplasmic and nuclear function. Pathways involving CHMP4A are implicated in neurodegeneration, cancer cell exosome secretion, and enveloped virus replication. There are currently no approved drugs directly targeting CHMP4A; any pharmacological modulation would carry substantial safety risks due to the fundamental biological processes governed by ESCRT-III.

Other names

Charged multivesicular body protein 4aC14orf123SHAX2CDA04HSPC134hSnf-1Vps32-1hVps32-1VPS32AhSnf7-1Snf7-1Chromatin-modifying protein 4aSNF7 homolog associated with Alix-2SNF7-1Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 32-1CHMP4Chromatin modifying protein 4ASNF7

Inhibition of ESCRT-III function blocks viral budding (e.g., dominant-negative mutants) Disruption of membrane fission and vesicular trafficking