GET4 is involved in the guided entry of tail-anchored proteins into the ER membrane. Tail-anchored proteins are characterized by a single C-terminal transmembrane region. The BAT3 complex, which includes GET4, helps maintain these proteins in a soluble state and ensures their proper delivery to the ER. This process is essential for the correct insertion of these proteins into the ER membrane .
The BAT3 complex interacts with newly synthesized tail-anchored proteins at the ribosome. Together with other proteins such as SGTA and ASNA1, GET4 mediates the delivery of these proteins to the ER. This complex also plays a role in the quality control of misfolded proteins, directing them either to the ER for proper folding or to the proteasome for degradation .
GET4 is involved in several critical cellular processes, including:
Mutations or dysregulation of the GET4 gene can lead to several disorders. For instance, GET4 is associated with Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation, Type Iiy and Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation, Type In. These are genetic disorders that affect the glycosylation process, leading to a wide range of symptoms and developmental issues .
Recombinant GET4 protein is used in various research applications to study its function and role in cellular processes. Understanding the mechanisms involving GET4 can provide insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for diseases related to protein misfolding and ER-associated degradation .