Zfyve16, also known as endofin or endosome-associated FYVE-domain protein, is a member of the FYVE-domain protein family. It is involved in endosomal trafficking and is associated with TGF-β, BMP, and EGFR signaling pathways. In the TGF-β signaling pathway, it binds to Smad4 and impacts the formation of the Smad2/3-Smad4 complex [1].

A Zfyve16 knockout (KO) mouse strain was generated to study its in vivo function [1]. In Zfyve16KO mice, the proportion of T-cells in the peripheral blood increased, consistent with Zfyve16's role in facilitating TGF-β signaling which may inhibit T-cell proliferation. Unexpectedly, B-cell proliferation was inhibited in Zfyve16KO mice, and the proliferation potential of Zfyve16KO B-lymphoid cells also significantly decreased in vitro. This suggests that Zfyve16 inhibits T-cell proliferation, possibly via the TGF-β signaling, while upregulating the proliferation of B-lymphoid cells [1].

In conclusion, Zfyve16 plays a significant role in the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation, especially in T-and B-cells, as revealed by the Zfyve16KO mouse model. Its functions in the context of TGF-β signaling contribute to our understanding of lymphocyte-related biological processes, providing insights into potential mechanisms underlying immune-related diseases [1].

References:

1. Zhao, Xuemei, Li, Donghe, Qiu, Qingsong, Liu, Ping, Ren, Ruibao. 2017. Zfyve16 regulates the proliferation of B-lymphoid cells. In Frontiers of medicine, 12, 559-565. doi:10.1007/s11684-017-0562-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29247407/