ER membrane protein complex subunit 3 (EMC3)

ER membrane protein complex subunit 3 (EMC3) is a transmembrane component of the ER membrane protein complex, evolutionarily related to the Oxa1/Alb3/YidC family of insertases. EMC3 forms a critical part of the membrane insertase machinery that co- and post-translationally incorporates client transmembrane helices—especially those of multi-pass integral membrane proteins and tail-anchored proteins—into the ER membrane. The protein is required for correct biogenesis and membrane integration of a wide variety of proteins, including rhodopsin in photoreceptor cells, and it shapes cellular homeostasis across many processes dependent on ER localization and protein folding. Structural studies show its central role in forming substrate-binding sites necessary for membrane protein insertion. There is no evidence for direct pharmacological targeting or biomarker use for EMC3, but its dysfunction is implicated in certain disease contexts such as retinal degeneration and potentially other membrane protein processing disorders.

Other names

EMC3TMEM111Transmembrane protein 111POBPartial optokinetic response b30 kDa protein