Vacuolar fusion protein CCZ1 homolog B (CCZ1B)

Vacuolar fusion protein CCZ1 homolog B (CCZ1B) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that partners with Mon1A to form the Mon1-CCZ1 complex. This complex activates Rab7A, facilitating early to late endosomal trafficking and lysosome fusion. CCZ1B is located on the lysosomal membrane and is required for the proper function and biogenesis of lysosomes and vesicle trafficking. Its inhibition or genetic knockout blocks infectious entry of viruses (notably Ebola, Marburg, and SARS-CoV-2) by disrupting their ability to transit from early to late endosomes, making it a promising antiviral drug target. Mutations in CCZ1B may contribute to diseases of lysosomal dysfunction, such as Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, and its broad role in vesicular transport means therapeutic targeting must be approached with caution.

Other names

CCZ1BC7orf28BDKFZP586I1023MGC19819H_NH0577018.2CCZ1 homolog B, vacuolar protein trafficking and biogenesis associatedVacuolar fusion protein CCZ1 homolog BCCZ1 vacuolar protein trafficking and biogenesis associated homolog BSimilar to CGI-43 protein

Inhibition of CCZ1 function blocks viral endosomal trafficking, trapping viruses in early endosomes and preventing replication and cell entry