| Modification Notes |
Degradation in endoplasmic reticulum proteins, also designated Derlins or DERtrins, are crucial for the degradation of misfolded endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal proteins. Derlin proteins are multi-pass membrane proteins localizing to the ER. Derlins are involved in transferring misfolded proteins from the ER to the cytosol, where the misfolded proteins are destroyed in an ubiquitin-dependent manner by the proteasome. In the case of cytomegalovirus infection, Derlin-1, as opposed to Derlins-2 and -3, is involved in the export of MHC class I heavy chains from the ER via its interaction with the viral protein US11. Derlins may also be important for cell proliferation. They are widely expressed, but highest levels are primarily detected in spleen, pancreas, lung, liver, thymus and ovary. Derlin-2 is overexpressed in hepatocarcinomas. |