VPS33A

VPS33A, also known as Vacuolar Protein Sorting 33A, is a protein encoded by the VPS33A gene. This gene is located on chromosome 17 in humans. The VPS33A protein is a component of the HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuolar protein sorting) complex, a crucial machinery involved in the fusion of vesicles with the late endosome and lysosome. The HOPS complex is essential for various cellular processes, including protein degradation, nutrient recycling, and maintaining lysosomal homeostasis. VPS33A specifically interacts with other subunits of the HOPS complex, such as VPS16, VPS18, VPS39, and VPS41, to facilitate the docking and fusion of vesicles. Dysfunction or mutations in VPS33A have been linked to certain genetic disorders. For instance, mutations in VPS33A are implicated in certain forms of Griscelli syndrome type 2, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by partial albinism, immunodeficiency, and neurological abnormalities. Research into VPS33A continues to explore its precise roles in cellular trafficking and its contribution to human health and disease.