Transmembrane protein 86B (TMEM86B)

Transmembrane protein 86B (TMEM86B) is a membrane-bound hydrolase that serves as the major lysoplasmalogenase in mammals, catalyzing the cleavage of the vinyl ether bond in lysoplasmalogens to generate fatty aldehydes and glycerophosphocholine or glycerophosphoethanolamine. It is part of the YhhN protein family and is highly expressed in the liver, with lower expression in other tissues including duodenum and brain. TMEM86B plays a central role in ether lipid metabolism and the regulation of cellular plasmalogen levels, making it relevant to inherited and acquired diseases of lipid metabolism. Dysregulation may contribute to disorders like rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata and retinal degeneration conditions. No drugs currently target TMEM86B directly; however, its enzymatic activity and the resulting lipid species are important for understanding cellular lipid balance and related pathologies.

Other names

Lysoplasmalogenase TMEM86BAlkenylglycerophosphocholine hydrolaseAlkenylglycerophosphoethanolamine hydrolaseMGC30208TMEM86BTransmembrane protein 86BLysoplasmalogenase

Not established in humans; inhibition or modulation may affect plasmalogen levels, which could be exploited therapeutically in disorders of lipid metabolism.