SNF8 is a protein that plays a crucial role in the endosomal sorting complex required for transport II (ESCRT-II). This complex is essential for the regulation of various cellular processes, including the sorting and degradation of ubiquitinylated transmembrane proteins. The human recombinant form of SNF8 is used in various research applications to study its function and interactions within the cell.
SNF8 is a subunit of the ESCRT-II complex, which also includes VPS25 and VPS36 . The stability of the ESCRT-II complex is highly dependent on the presence of SNF8. The ESCRT-II complex is involved in the formation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs), which are essential for the delivery of transmembrane proteins to the lysosome for degradation .
The primary function of SNF8 within the ESCRT-II complex is to facilitate the sorting of endosomal cargo proteins into MVBs. This process is crucial for the degradation of endocytosed proteins, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 . Additionally, SNF8 is involved in the exosomal release of certain proteins, including SDCBP, CD63, and syndecan .
SNF8 interacts with various proteins to carry out its functions. It is known to interact with the transcription elongation factor ELL, which helps overcome the repressive effects of ELL on RNA polymerase II activity . SNF8 also interacts with TSG101, another component of the ESCRT machinery . These interactions are essential for the proper functioning of the ESCRT-II complex and the regulation of protein sorting and degradation.
The human recombinant form of SNF8 is widely used in research to study its role in cellular processes. Researchers use recombinant SNF8 to investigate its interactions with other proteins, its involvement in the ESCRT-II complex, and its impact on cellular functions. Studies have shown that overexpression of SNF8 can enhance the activity of certain ion channels, such as TRPC6, and modulate transcriptional activity .