Tmem131 is a gene with important roles in intracellular processes. Its amino termini contain bacterial PapD chaperone-like domains, while its carboxy termini interact with TRAPPC8. It is involved in intracellular collagen assembly and secretory cargo trafficking, playing a part in the recruitment of premature collagen monomers for proper assembly and secretion, and driving collagen cargo trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi [1].

Knockdown of Tmem131 in Caenorhabditis elegans impairs collagen production and activates ER stress response, indicating its essential role in collagen-related processes [1]. In both C. elegans and human sarcoma cells, knockdown of Tmem131 results in reduced formation of large COPII vesicles associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) protein secretion, suggesting a cooperative role with TMEM39A in the secretion of extracellular components [2].

In conclusion, Tmem131 is crucial for intracellular collagen assembly and secretory cargo trafficking. Studies in C. elegans through knockdown (a form of loss-of-function experiment) have revealed its significance in collagen-related biological processes. These findings may have implications for understanding diseases related to collagen dysregulation, such as pathological tissue fibrosis [1].