Vacuolar protein sorting 36 homolog (VPS36)

Vacuolar protein sorting 36 homolog (VPS36) is a core component of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport II (ESCRT-II), which is conserved from yeast to mammals[1][2][4]. VPS36 contains a GLUE domain, enabling it to bind ubiquitin and endosomal phospholipids and couples recognition of ubiquitinated cargos with their sequestration into multivesicular bodies (MVBs) for lysosomal degradation[1][2][4]. ESCRT-II, as a complex, forms a critical nexus for endocytic trafficking, facilitating the downregulation and degradation of plasma membrane proteins[2][4]. In plants and mammals, functional VPS36 is essential for normal development, vacuolar biogenesis, and degradation of plasma membrane proteins[3]. In disease contexts, VPS36 has been implicated in cancer (e.g., reduced VPS36 expression is associated with advanced prostate cancer and poor prognosis) and plays a role in antiviral host defense by suppressing viral replication[1]. Currently, there are no drugs that specifically target VPS36, and it is not considered a direct therapeutic target; its importance lies mainly in fundamental cellular protein trafficking and disease pathophysiology[1][3].

Other names

CGI-145C13orf9EAP45ESCRT-II complex subunit VPS36ELL-associated protein of 45 kDa