Integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B)

Integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B), also known as BRI2, is a ubiquitously expressed type II transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the ITM2B gene on chromosome 13[1]. ITM2B plays a modulatory role in the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), reducing the production and aggregation of amyloid beta, a key pathogenic factor in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It is processed by several proteases, generating fragments with distinct intra- and extracellular functions, including Bri23, which prevents toxic amyloid aggregation[1][2][3]. Mutations in ITM2B underlie devastating inherited dementias such as Familial British and Danish dementias, and are associated with retinal degeneration and possibly other neurological conditions[1][4]. While its precise physiological functions remain incompletely defined, ITM2B is implicated in synaptic activity, neurite outgrowth, mitochondrial homeostasis, and regulated apoptosis, with possible involvement in wider neurodegenerative and tumor suppressive processes[1][2][3][4]. There are currently no approved drugs targeting ITM2B directly, but it is considered a research target for therapies aimed at modulating amyloidogenic pathways in neurodegeneration.

Other names

BRI2membrane formBRI2 intracellular domainBRI2Csoluble formBri23 peptideBRIimBRI2BrimBRI2BRI2 ICDBri2-23E25BE3-16BRICD2BImmature BRI2Protein E25BTransmembrane protein BRIMature BRI2ABri23C-terminal peptideP23 peptideBRICHOS domain containing 2BABRIFBDRDGCAABri/ADan amyloid peptideepididymis secretory sperm binding protein

Inhibiting amyloid-beta production by regulating APP cleavage and secretase access; Preventing aggregation of toxic amyloid oligomers (by Bri23 and related peptides)[1][3]