STARD3NL
Encyclopedia
MENTHO or STARD3 N-terminal like protein (STARD3NL) is an integral membrane protein
of unknown function. As the alternate name implies, MENTHO, short for "MLN64 N-terminal homologue", contains a region in its N-terminus similar to that found in STARD3, also known as MLN64
, but lacks the StAR-related transfer domain
(START) that characterizes all other proteins given the "STARD" (START domain-containing) name. The N-terminal domain is called a MENTAL
(MLN64 N-terminal) domain.
Like MLN64, MENTHO is widely expressed in tissues of the body. Within the cell
, it localizes to the membranes of late endosome
s and may interact there with MLN64. It is suggested that in combination with MLN64, this protein helps regulate the flow of cholesterol
through the endosomal pathway.
Integral membrane protein
An integral membrane protein is a protein molecule that is permanently attached to the biological membrane. Proteins that cross the membrane are surrounded by "annular" lipids, which are defined as lipids that are in direct contact with a membrane protein...
of unknown function. As the alternate name implies, MENTHO, short for "MLN64 N-terminal homologue", contains a region in its N-terminus similar to that found in STARD3, also known as MLN64
MLN64
StAR-related lipid transfer domain protein 3 also known as metastatic lymph node 64 protein is a late endosomal integral membrane protein involved in cholesterol transport.-Function:...
, but lacks the StAR-related transfer domain
StAR-related transfer domain
START is a lipid-binding domain in StAR, HD-ZIP and signalling proteins. The archetypical domain is found in StAR , a mitochondrial protein that is synthesized in steroid-producing cells. StAR and initiates steroid production by mediating the delivery of cholesterol to the first enzyme in...
(START) that characterizes all other proteins given the "STARD" (START domain-containing) name. The N-terminal domain is called a MENTAL
MENTAL domain
The MENTAL or MLN64 NH2-terminal domain is a membrane-spanning domain that is conserved in two late endosomal proteins in vertebrates, MLN64 and MENTHO. The domain is 170 amino acids long....
(MLN64 N-terminal) domain.
Like MLN64, MENTHO is widely expressed in tissues of the body. Within the cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
, it localizes to the membranes of late endosome
Endosome
In biology, an endosome is a membrane-bound compartment inside eukaryotic cells. It is a compartment of the endocytic membrane transport pathway from the plasma membrane to the lysosome. Molecules internalized from the plasma membrane can follow this pathway all the way to lysosomes for...
s and may interact there with MLN64. It is suggested that in combination with MLN64, this protein helps regulate the flow of cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
through the endosomal pathway.