Transmembrane protein 59-like (TMEM59L)

Transmembrane protein 59-like (TMEM59L) is a type I transmembrane protein primarily expressed in the brain and highly specific to neurons[2]. It modulates O-glycosylation and N-glycosylation of proteins during Golgi maturation, notably affecting the intracellular trafficking of proteins such as the amyloid precursor protein (APP)[1][3][5]. TMEM59L inhibits the transport of APP to the cell surface and influences its subcellular localization, which has implications for amyloid-beta (Aβ) formation—a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease[1][3]. TMEM59L also mediates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in neurons and has functional significance in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disease, as well as emotional and cognitive behaviors such as anxiety, depression, and memory[2]. Beyond neurobiology, TMEM59L is expressed in certain cancer-associated fibroblasts and is implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor invasion, metastasis, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment[4][6]. While not currently a direct drug target, its specific expression profile and pathway associations make it of interest for further research in neurology and oncology.

Other names

TMEM59LBrain-specific membrane-anchored proteinBSMAPC19orf4Transmembrane protein 59-like