ER Degradation Enhancer, Mannosidase Alpha Like Protein 2 (EDEM2)

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), misfolded proteins are retrotranslocated to the cytosol and degraded by the proteasome in a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). EDEM2 belongs to a family of proteins involved in ERAD of glycoproteins.

EDEM2 shares 42% and 43% identity with EDEM1 and EDEM3, respectively, and 93% identity with mouse Edem2. Northern blot analysis detected expression of a 2-kb transcript with high levels in small intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, low levels in brain and skeletal muscle, and intermediate levels in all other tissues examined. Immunofluorescence analysis detected EDEM2 colocalized in the ER with calreticulin.