VPS39
Description
The VPS39 (VPS39 subunit of HOPS complex) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 15.
VPS39 is a human gene encoding a protein that may promote clustering and fusion of late endosomes and lysosomes. This protein could also function as an adaptor protein that regulates the transforming growth factor-beta response by linking the transforming growth factor-beta receptor complex to the Smad pathway.
VPS39 is a regulator of TGF-beta/activin signaling. It inhibits SMAD3-dependent transcription and activates SMAD2-dependent transcription by interfering with the formation of the SMAD3/SMAD4 complex. This leads to the inhibition of SMAD3-dependent transcription and the relief of SMAD3 inhibition of SMAD2-dependent promoters, ultimately increasing SMAD2-dependent transcription. VPS39 does not affect TGF-beta-induced SMAD2 or SMAD3 phosphorylation, nor SMAD2/SMAD4 complex formation.
VPS39 is also known as TLP, VAM6, hVam6p.
