Structural highlights
Disease
[41_HUMAN] Defects in EPB41 are the cause of elliptocytosis type 1 (EL1) [MIM:611804]. EL1 is a Rhesus-linked form of hereditary elliptocytosis, a genetically heterogeneous, autosomal dominant, hematologic disorder. It is characterized by variable hemolytic anemia and elliptical or oval red cell shape. Defects in EPB41 are a cause of hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) [MIM:266140]. HPP is an autosomal recessive hematologic disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, microspherocytosis, poikilocytosis, and an unusual thermal sensitivity of red cells.
Function
[41_HUMAN] Protein 4.1 is a major structural element of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton. It plays a key role in regulating membrane physical properties of mechanical stability and deformability by stabilizing spectrin-actin interaction. Recruits DLG1 to membranes.
