Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 5 (EPB41L5)

Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 5 (EPB41L5) is a FERM domain-containing cytoskeletal protein critical for the formation and maturation of focal adhesions, maintenance of epithelial polarity, and regulation of actomyosin contractility. EPB41L5 is highly expressed in epithelial tissues, notably in podocytes of the kidney, where it ensures the mechanical stability of the glomerular filtration barrier by linking adhesion sites to the cytoskeleton and orchestrating actin-based cell morphology and migration. It is involved in embryonic development and is a key regulator of cell-cell contacts and cell polarity. In pathophysiological settings, EPB41L5 is down-regulated in several glomerular and epithelial disorders, supporting its role as a disease modifier and potential therapeutic target, especially in kidney diseases and cancer linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Other names

BE37YMO1YRTLULULULU1KIAA1548FLJ12957Band 4.1-like protein 5Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 5yurt homolog (Drosophila)yurt homologymo1yrt

For hypothetical drugs: Modulation of actomyosin contractility, regulation of focal adhesion assembly and maturation, inhibition or promotion of EMT through TGF-β/cadherin signaling. Indirect: Small molecules affecting actin cytoskeleton stabilization (e.g. dynamin modulators)