Transmembrane protein 41B (TMEM41B)

Transmembrane protein 41B (TMEM41B) is a conserved multipass integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum that functions as a phospholipid scramblase and regulates diverse membrane dynamics processes, including autophagy, lipid homeostasis, and the biogenesis of numerous ER-derived organelles[5][6]. TMEM41B contains a DedA domain and functions together with vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1) to remodel ER membranes, enabling autophagosome formation, lipid droplet biogenesis, and lipoprotein production[6][2][9]. It is also a critical host factor required for the replication of various coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) and flaviviruses (e.g., dengue virus), making it of therapeutic interest in infectious disease research[10][9]. TMEM41B deficiency profoundly perturbs autophagy, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function, and no approved drugs directly target this protein as of the available data[9][10][5].

Other names

TMEM41BTMEM41-BTmem41b (in mouse and other species)