flotillin2

Flotillin-2, encoded by the FLOT2 gene in humans, is a member of the flotillin protein family that also includes flotillin-1 (FLOT1). Flotillins are integral membrane proteins associated with lipid rafts or detergent-resistant membrane microdomains and are implicated in a variety of membrane trafficking and signaling processes.

Flotillin-2 contains the SPFH domain characteristic of flotillins and is predicted to be palmitoylated, which helps target it to raft-associated membranes. The protein localizes primarily to the plasma membrane and endosomal compartments, where it participates in the organization of membrane microdomains and in vesicular trafficking.

Functionally, flotillin-2 is involved in clathrin-independent endocytosis and raft-mediated internalization of membrane proteins. It contributes to the assembly of signaling platforms at the cell surface and can influence cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion. Through these roles, flotillin-2 participates in receptor sorting, signal transduction, and membrane trafficking pathways that influence cellular responses to growth factors and extracellular cues.

In terms of clinical relevance, altered expression of FLOT2 has been observed in various cancers and other diseases, with studies reporting correlations to cellular migration, invasion, and prognosis in a context-dependent manner. As such, flotillin-2 is studied as a potential biomarker and as part of research into therapeutic targets, though its precise roles can vary by tissue type and biological context.

Flotillin-2 frequently forms hetero-oligomers with flotillin-1 and collaborates with other raft-associated proteins to organize membrane microdomains. Its activity is connected to broader signaling networks, including interactions with kinases and small GTPases that modulate endocytosis and signal transduction.