Testis-expressed protein 264 (TEX264)

Testis-expressed protein 264 (TEX264) is a single-pass transmembrane protein localized predominantly to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it acts as a major receptor for selective reticulophagy (ER-phagy)—the process of selective degradation of ER fragments via autophagy[1][4][5][6]. It binds the autophagic protein LC3 and related ATG8 family members through a conserved C-terminal LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif, facilitating the sequestration and lysosomal degradation of ER during nutrient deprivation or cellular stress[1][2][4]. TEX264 is also implicated in DNA repair, participating in the resolution of DNA-protein cross-links by bridging VCP/p97 to damage sites and recruiting repair enzymes[2][4]. TEX264 is ubiquitously expressed, with high levels in testis, and localizes to various subcellular compartments including the ER membrane, autophagosome membrane, and replication forks[2][3]. As a functional reticulophagy receptor, TEX264 is central to ER homeostasis, cellular stress response, and genome maintenance[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

Testis expressed gene 264ZSIG11UNQ337/PRO536FLJ13935Putative secreted protein Zsig11testis-expressed sequence 264 protein