Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 18 homolog (VPS18)

Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 18 homolog (VPS18) is a conserved core subunit that belongs to the class C core of the CORVET (class C core vacuole/endosome tethering) and HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting) multisubunit tethering complexes. These complexes regulate vesicle docking and fusion along the endocytic and lysosomal pathways. VPS18 specifically interacts via its C-terminal RING finger domain to recruit other complex subunits, such as VPS41 in the HOPS complex. Loss of VPS18 disrupts the stability and formation of the entire HOPS and CORVET complexes, resulting in defective endosomal maturation, lysosomal trafficking, and autophagosome fusion. VPS18 is not a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a scaffolding protein required for assembling the machinery responsible for membrane tethering and fusion in the endolysosomal system. This function is essential for cellular homeostasis, but VPS18 itself is not known as a therapeutic target, nor is it directly associated with drug interactions or clinical biomarkers.

Other names

VPS18hVPS18KIAA1475PEP3Vacuolar protein sorting 18 homologVacuolar protein sorting protein 18CORVET/HOPS core subunit

Not applicable. No drugs or inhibitors directly targeting VPS18 have a characterized mechanism of action.