TMEFF1 is a transmembrane protein that is primarily located in the plasma membrane. It is involved in several critical biological processes, including neural patterning and tumor suppression. The protein is predicted to inhibit NODAL and BMP signaling pathways, which are crucial during neural development . Additionally, TMEFF1 has been suggested to act as a tumor suppressor in brain cancers .
The expression of TMEFF1 is predominantly observed in the central nervous system (CNS). It plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of neural tissues. The protein’s localization to the plasma membrane allows it to participate in cell signaling processes that are essential for neuron projection development and tissue morphogenesis .
TMEFF1 has been associated with various diseases, including acute promyelocytic leukemia and leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter . Its role as a tumor suppressor highlights its potential importance in cancer research, particularly in understanding the mechanisms underlying brain cancers .
Recent studies have identified TMEFF1 as a critical factor in controlling herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) replication in the CNS. Depletion of TMEFF1 in human neurons and mice led to increased viral replication and neuronal death following HSV-1 infection . This discovery underscores the importance of TMEFF1 in the innate antiviral defense mechanisms of neurons and its potential therapeutic implications .