Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 8 (OSBPL8)

Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 8 is a lipid transporter protein encoded by the OSBPL8 gene. It localizes primarily at membrane contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane, where it facilitates countertransport of lipids: specifically, it exchanges phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, helping maintain cellular lipid homeostasis. The protein binds multiple lipid ligands including phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, cholesterol, oxysterol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol. It belongs to the oxysterol-binding protein family, characterized by a pleckstrin homology domain and a conserved OSBP-like sterol-binding domain. OSBPL8 is implicated in cellular lipid transfer, membrane organization, and regulation of signaling events such as Ca(2+) flux, with putative relevance in several diseases linked to lipid metabolism and signaling, although it is not currently a major clinical drug target.

Other names

OSBPL8ORP8KIAA1451OSBP10MST120MSTP120OSBP-related protein 8Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 8ORP-8

Drugs targeting OSBPL8 would likely modulate lipid transfer and distribution/function at membrane contact sites, especially with respect to phosphatidylserine, phosphoinositides, and cholesterol/oxysterols