Epsin-3 (EPN3)

Epsin-3 is a member of the epsin family of highly conserved membrane-associated endocytic adaptor proteins. It is characterized by an N-terminal ENTH (Epsin N-Terminal Homology) domain that binds phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate and contributes to the initiation of clathrin-coated vesicle formation through membrane curvature induction. Unlike other epsins, Epsin-3 displays highly regulated expression and is induced in human keratinocytes migrating over type I collagen, such as during cutaneous wound healing; it is not detectable in healthy, differentiated skin. Epsin-3 is implicated in the coordination of endocytosis and signal transduction, acting as an adaptor that helps recruit ubiquitinated cargo to the clathrin-mediated endocytic machinery and interacts with Rho GTPase-regulatory proteins, linking cell signaling and polarity with membrane trafficking. Upregulation of Epsin-3 has been observed in epithelial pathologies and several cancer types, where it is thought to enhance cell migration and invasion, making it a candidate biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in oncology. Currently, no direct drug interactions or approved targeted therapies are known for Epsin-3.

Other names

EPN3FLJ20778MGC129899EPS-15-interacting protein 3epsin-3