Epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2)

EMP2 is a tetraspan membrane protein (∼160 amino acids, four transmembrane domains) of the PMP22/EMP family, highly expressed in lung, skin, esophagus, and retina. It localizes to lipid raft microdomains, where it acts as a scaffold for adhesion molecules (integrins, ICAM-1), modulates cell surface composition, and regulates membrane organization, migration, endocytosis, proliferation, and signaling. EMP2 is crucial for neutrophil migration in lungs, cell adhesion, and immune modulation. Dysregulated EMP2 expression is linked to multiple cancers and nephrotic syndromes, and it is actively being explored as a therapeutic target and biomarker in oncology.

Other names

EMP2PMP22/EMP family memberTM4SF member (tetraspanin superfamily)

Therapeutic inhibition or modulation of EMP2 disrupts its coordination of protein trafficking and adhesion molecule display, thereby impairing cell adhesion, migration, and signaling essential for tumor growth and metastasis. EMP2 also regulates integrin trafficking and caveolin signaling.