Ecm29 proteasome adaptor and scaffold (ECPAS)

Ecm29 proteasome adaptor and scaffold (ECPAS), also known as KIAA0368 or ECM29, is a large (approximately 200-kDa) HEAT repeat–containing adaptor and scaffold protein closely associated with the 26S proteasome[1][2][3]. It selectively binds to fully assembled 26S proteasomes, stabilizing their integrity by tethering the core and regulatory particles, and modulates assembly and disassembly[1]. Ecm29 also couples proteasomes to cytoskeletal elements and molecular motors, promoting their correct localization within various cellular compartments, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, endosomes, and secretory organelles[1][3]. It is essential for regulating the proteasome’s response to cellular stress, influencing both protein quality control and the local regulation of proteolysis—particularly significant in neurons, where it modulates processes such as GABAergic signaling[1]. Defective or altered Ecm29 activity impairs proteasome regulation and protein clearance, highlighting its relevance in conditions featuring proteotoxic or oxidative stress[1].

Other names

KIAA0368ECM29ECPAS