Exosomal polycystin-1-interacting protein (EPCIP)

Exosomal polycystin-1-interacting protein (EPCIP) is a human protein encoded by the EPCIP gene, located on chromosome 21 at band q22.11[3]. It is expressed in brain and reproductive organs, including ovarian, testicular, prostate, pancreatic, and kidney tissues, with moderate expression in several adult organs[3]. EPCIP is known to be highly expressed in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells and not in their cancerous counterparts, and it is overexpressed in several tumor types, such as pancreatic, germ cell, and glioma tumors[3]. Although initially suggested to interact with polycystin-1 (PKD1), a protein involved in kidney development and polycystic kidney disease, the direct functional significance of EPCIP remains unclear[3][4]. It may be involved in mitochondrial dynamics—especially the detection and exocytosis of senescent mitochondria—potentially in collaboration with PKD1[4]. Interaction by text mining is noted with several other proteins, such as BNIPL (cell death), CRYBA2 (eye lens), SSX4 (transcriptional repressor), RXFP1/2 (hormone signaling), and others; however, specific biological functions or disease mechanisms are not well established for EPCIP[3]. There is currently no evidence supporting EPCIP as a therapeutic target, receptor, or druggable molecule, nor are there known drugs, biomarkers, or prominent safety issues associated with this protein[3][4].

Other names

EPCIPC21orf62C21orf120PRED81B37chromosome 21 open reading frame 62uncharacterized protein C21orf62polycystin-1-interacting protein 1