The Sec23p-Sec24p complex is a component of COPII-coated vesicles that medi
ate protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum in yeast. The mammalia
n hypothetical protein KIAA0079 (KIAA0079p) exhibits sequence similarity to
yeast Sec24p, KIAA0079p mas co-eluted with mammalian Sec23p on gel filtrat
ion. In vitro binding experiments revealed that the C-terminal region of KI
AA0079p binds to the N-terminal region of mammalian Sec23p, Overexpression
of KIAA0079p caused a defect in protein export from the endoplasmic reticul
um, These results support the idea that KIAA0079p is a functional homologue
of yeast Sec24p, (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.