Differentiation Associated Protein (DAPR)

PLEKHM3, also known as DAPR, is a member of the M family of Pleckstrin homology domain-containing proteins. PLEKHM3 was initially identified through chromatin immunoprecipitation and CpG microarray analysis examining proteins regulated by myocyte-enhancing factor 2. In C2C12 myoblast cells, PLEKHM3 binds to the PI3K signaling member protein kinase B in the cytosol prior to differentiation into myotubes. Following the initiation of differentiation, PLEKHM3 was also found in membrane fractions.

Knockdown of PLEKHM3 expression by RNAi resulted in the inhibition of myotube formation, suggesting that PLEKHM3 is a key component required by myoblasts for orchestrating their differentiation during myogenesis.