Small EDRK-rich factor 2 (SERF2)

Small EDRK-rich factor 2 (SERF2) is a highly conserved, small protein (82 amino acids; ~9.3 kDa) encoded by the SERF2 gene on chromosome 15 in humans. SERF2 is most notable as a positive regulator of amyloid protein aggregation and a modulator of proteotoxicity: it induces conformational changes in amyloidogenic proteins, such as huntingtin (HTT), and drives them into more compact forms, thus influencing the formation of amyloid aggregates. This implicates SERF2 in pathways relevant to neurodegeneration. SERF2 is found in the cytosol and nucleus, and its precise physiological roles remain incompletely understood. Knockout mouse models reveal that loss of SERF2 can result in developmental deficits, embryonic lethality (in certain genetic backgrounds), or subtle neurological phenotypes, indicating a potential requirement for normal development and neural function. SERF2 has also been associated with gastric cancer, as some alternate names derive from cancer-related screens, but no direct drug interactions or mechanisms of action for therapeutics targeting SERF2 are documented. There are currently no known biomarkers or safety concerns described for direct clinical targeting of SERF2.

Other names

SERF2FAM2C4F5RELH4F5RELHero7HsT17089Gastric cancer-related protein VRG107Protein 4F5-related, small EDRK-rich factor 24F5relh4F5relFLJ20431FLJ37527FLJ38557MGC48826OTTHUMP00000066299OTTHUMP00000200122small EDRK-rich factor 2 isoform c