Transmembrane protein 40 (TMEM40)

Transmembrane protein 40 (TMEM40) is a multi-pass membrane protein consisting of 233 amino acids and exists in at least two isoforms. TMEM40 is encoded on human chromosome 3 and broadly expressed in cancers such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer. TMEM40 drives cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and suppresses apoptosis, in part via the p53/c-MYC pathway and regulation of matrix metalloproteinases. Its overexpression correlates with aggressive tumor features, while knockdown leads to cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis, suggesting TMEM40 may be a candidate cancer therapeutic target. Currently, there are no drugs targeting TMEM40 in clinical development, and further research is needed to elucidate its detailed mechanisms and therapeutic value.

Other names

TMEM40FLJ11036Transmembrane protein 40

Silencing or knockdown: inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion, induces apoptosis, arrests cell cycle progression at G0/G1. Proposed to act through the p53/c-MYC cell cycle and apoptosis pathways, and regulation of MMPs involved in invasion.