protein
Atlastin-2
aka ATL-2
Gene
ATL2
Organism
Homo sapiens(9606)
Length
583 aa
Mass
66,229 Da
Atlastin-2 (ATL2) is a membrane-anchored GTPase that mediates GTP-dependent fusion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, maintaining the structural integrity of the continuous ER network (UniProt: Q8NHH9). The protein facilitates formation of three-way ER tubule junctions by forming homodimers through its G domains; upon GTP hydrolysis, conformational changes tighten the dimer and pull adjacent membranes together to drive fusion, after which the homodimer disassembles and resets for subsequent fusion cycles.
ATL2 is widely expressed and functions in fundamental ER homeostasis and morphology. No disease associations are documented in UniProt for this protein.
ATL2 shows down-regulation in Alzheimer's Disease brain tissue. Chaparral AD proteomics analysis of post-mortem human AD brain versus age-matched controls identified ATL2 as decreased (mean log2 fold-change: −0.41) in TMT-labeled quantitative proteomics across subcellular fractions (P2, P3, S2, S3). This reduction may reflect compromised ER membrane dynamics and network integrity in the AD pathological state.
Generated from the curated entity record below. May contain errors — verify against source links.
Proteomics Evidence · AD
↓ Down in ADP3
not detected
P2
not detected
S2
not detected
S3
-0.411
Mean log₂FC across detected fractions: -0.4112 (1 of 4 fractions detected)
Human post-mortem AD brain vs age-matched controls, TMT-labeled, 4 subcellular fractions (P2, P3, S2, S3), DDA proteomics.
Related Publications
Browse all →Tau molecular diversity contributes to clinical heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease.
Dujardin Simon et al.Nature medicine2020PMID 32572268Deep Multilayer Brain Proteomics Identifies Molecular Networks in Alzheimer's Disease Progression.
Bai Bing et al.Neuron2020PMID 31926610A Multi-network Approach Identifies Protein-Specific Co-expression in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease.
Seyfried Nicholas T et al.Cell systems2017PMID 27989508Large-scale deep multi-layer analysis of Alzheimer's disease brain reveals strong proteomic disease-related changes not observed at the RNA level.
Johnson Erik C B et al.Nature neuroscience2022PMID 35115731Organization and regulation of gene transcription.
Cramer PatrickNature2019PMID 31462772
Function
Atlastin-2 (ATL2) is a membrane-anchored GTPase that mediates the GTP-dependent fusion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, maintaining the continuous ER network. It facilitates the formation of three-way junctions where ER tubules intersect (PubMed:18270207, PubMed:19665976, PubMed:22065636, PubMed:27619977, PubMed:34817557). Two atlastin-2 on neighboring ER tubules bind GTP and form loose homodimers through the GB1/RHD3-type G domains and 3HB regions. Upon GTP hydrolysis, the 3HB regions tighten, pulling the membranes together to drive their fusion. After fusion, the homodimer disassembles upon release of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Subsequently, GDP dissociates, resetting the monomers to a conformation ready for a new fusion cycle (By similarity)
Sources
Last updated 5/8/2026, 6:28:28 AM