AP2A2 - AP-2 complex subunit alpha-2 - human protein (Function)
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AP2A2 »  AP-2 complex subunit alpha-2
Protein also known as:  Clathrin assembly protein complex 2 alpha-C large chain.
Gene name:  AP2A2
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Component of the adaptor protein complex 2 (AP-2). Adaptor protein complexes function in protein transport via transport vesicles in different membrane traffic pathways. Adaptor protein complexes are vesicle coat components and appear to be involved in cargo selection and vesicle formation. AP-2 is involved in clathrin-dependent endocytosis in which cargo proteins are incorporated into vesicles surrounded by clathrin (clathrin-coated vesicles, CCVs) which are destined for fusion with the early endosome. The clathrin lattice serves as a mechanical scaffold but is itself unable to bind directly to membrane components. Clathrin-associated adaptor protein (AP) complexes which can bind directly to both the clathrin lattice and to the lipid and protein components of membranes are considered to be the major clathrin adaptors contributing the CCV formation. AP-2 also serves as a cargo receptor to selectively sort the membrane proteins involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis. AP-2 seems to play a role in the recycling of synaptic vesicle membranes from the presynaptic surface. AP-2 recognizes Y-X-X-[FILMV] (Y-X-X-Phi) and [ED]-X-X-X-L-[LI] endocytosis signal motifs within the cytosolic tails of transmembrane cargo molecules. AP-2 may also play a role in maintaining normal post-endocytic trafficking through the ARF6-regulated, non-clathrin pathway. The AP-2 alpha subunit binds polyphosphoinositide-containing lipids, positioning AP-2 on the membrane. The AP-2 alpha subunit acts via its C-terminal appendage domain as a scaffolding platform for endocytic accessory proteins. The AP-2 alpha and AP-2 sigma subunits are thought to contribute to the recognition of the [ED]-X-X-X-L-[LI] motif (By similarity).  
  • CuratedUniProtKB
GO molecular function 
Lipid bindingdefinition[GO:0008289]  
  • IEAUniProtKB KW
Protein bindingdefinition[GO:0005515]  
  • IPIIntAct
Protein transporter activitydefinition[GO:0008565] silver  
  • IEAInterPro 2 GO
GO biological process 
  • IEAUniProtKB KW
Intracellular protein transportdefinition[GO:0006886] silver  
  • IEAInterPro 2 GO
According to KEGG, this protein belongs to the following pathways:
Endocrine and other factor-regulated calcium reabsorption  hsa04961+161  
Endocytosis  hsa04144+161  
Huntington's disease  hsa05016+161  
Synaptic vesicle cycle  hsa04721+161  
According to Reactome, this protein belongs to the following pathways:
Developmental Biology  REACT_111045  
Disease  REACT_116125  
Immune System  REACT_6900  
Neuronal System  REACT_13685  
Signal Transduction  REACT_111102  


Biological process 
Endocytosis  definition   [KW-0254]
Protein transport  definition   [KW-0653]
Transport  definition   [KW-0813]
Technical term 
Reference proteome  definition   [KW-1185]

Further external links

GeneWiki: AP2A2
GenomeRNAi: 161
PRO: PR:O94973