Protein transport protein Sec24A (SEC24A)

Protein transport protein Sec24A (SEC24A) is a component of the coat protein complex II (COPII), which is essential for the formation of transport vesicles that shuttle proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells. SEC24A functions as part of the COPII inner coat, partnering with SEC23, and plays a central role in selecting and packaging specific protein cargos—including secretory and membrane proteins—into vesicles destined for the Golgi. In mammals, SEC24A has cargo specificity distinct from other SEC24 paralogs and is crucial for the ER export of certain substrates, such as PCSK9, which in turn regulates plasma cholesterol homeostasis. SEC24A is ubiquitously expressed, with enrichment in tissues like the liver, and while essential for protein secretion, complete deficiency in mice leads to marked reduction in cholesterol without causing lethality. This reveals its potential as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular/metabolic disease, particularly in lowering plasma cholesterol by altering secretory trafficking of regulators like PCSK9.

Other names

SEC24 homolog A, COPII componentSEC24ASEC24-related protein ASEC24 family member ASEC24A proteinSEC24 homolog A, COPII coat complex component

Not applicable