Rhomboid, Veinlet Like Protein 2 (RHBDL2)

RHBDL2 is a member of the rhomboid family of integral membrane proteins. This family contains proteins that are related to Drosophila rhomboid protein. Members of this family are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and are thought to function as intramembrane serine proteases. The encoded protein is thought to release soluble growth factors by proteolytic cleavage of certain membrane-bound substrates, including ephrin B2 and ephrin B3.

The deduced 293-amino acid protein shares 32% identity with Drosophila Rhomboid-1. RHBDL2 contains the conserved asp, his, and ser residues of the serine protease catalytic triad. RHBDL2 was unable to cleave the membrane domains of human EGF receptor ligands following transfection in human embryonic kidney cells.