Transmembrane protein 177 (TMEM177)

Transmembrane protein 177 (TMEM177) is an integral protein of the mitochondrial inner membrane, exposing its C-terminus into the mitochondrial intermembrane space[2]. TMEM177 is highly conserved among higher eukaryotes and forms dynamic complexes with COX20, copper-chaperones, and newly synthesized COX2, thereby promoting and stabilizing early assembly of cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV) in the mitochondrial respiratory chain[2][4][6]. TMEM177 is required for stabilization of the COX20 chaperone and newly synthesized MT-CO2/COX2 subunit, but is not known to directly affect the abundance of the overall complex IV under normal conditions[2]. Perturbation (knockdown or overexpression) of TMEM177 modulates COX20 levels and cell viability, suggesting a regulatory role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and electron transport[2][6]. Diseases associated with TMEM177 include Leigh disease and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, with genetic or expression data indicating possible involvement, but no established causative linkage[1][6]. TMEM177 is a canonical mitochondrial membrane assembly factor, not a receptor, ion channel, transporter, or enzyme[1][2][4][6]. No drugs or clinical inhibitors are currently associated with TMEM177[1][2][5][6]. It is structurally and functionally distinct from classical therapeutic targets, and is not currently actionable for drug discovery. The protein is correctly annotated and named, and molecular context is well established in the literature.

Other names

TMEM177MGC10993transmembrane protein 177

Not applicable. No drugs are reported to target TMEM177 directly.