Transmembrane protein 132A (TMEM132A)

Transmembrane protein 132A (TMEM132A) is a type I single-pass transmembrane protein involved in cell adhesion, signal transduction, and cellular stress responses, with particularly high expression in neural tissue, epithelial organs, and several cancers[1][2]. TMEM132A features immunoglobulin-like domains and leucine-rich repeat domains that support its role as a cell adhesion molecule and as a regulator of signaling pathways, notably the Wnt signaling pathway, via interaction with Wntless (WLS/WLS) that is required for Wnt ligand trafficking and secretion[2][3]. TMEM132A is implicated in cancer biology, as its expression can promote or inhibit malignancy depending on cellular context, and has been shown to affect tumor immune infiltration, indicating a role at the intersection of cell signaling, immune modulation, and malignancy[1]. It is also critical for neural tube development and may participate in the unfolded protein response via its interaction with ER chaperones such as GRP78/HSPA5[1][2]. Despite emerging evidence of its physiological and pathological significance, TMEM132A is largely considered a molecular scaffold or regulator rather than a classic "druggable" receptor, and currently, no approved pharmacological agents are known to target it directly.

Other names

HSPA5BP1KIAA1583GBPFLJ20539HSPA5-binding protein 1GRP78-binding proteinglucose-regulated protein 78 binding protein 1heat shock 70kDa protein 5 binding protein 1