EMP2
Chr 16ARepithelial membrane protein 2
Also known as: XMP
This gene encodes a tetraspan protein of the PMP22/EMP family. The encoded protein regulates cell membrane composition. It has been associated with various functions including endocytosis, cell signaling, cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, cell death, cholesterol homeostasis, urinary albumin excretion, and embryo implantation. It is known to negatively regulate caveolin-1, a scaffolding protein which is the main component of the caveolae plasma membrane invaginations found in most cell types. Through activation of PTK2 it positively regulates vascular endothelial growth factor A. It also modulates the function of specific integrin isomers in the plasma membrane. Up-regulation of this gene has been linked to cancer progression in multiple different tissues. Mutations in this gene have been associated with nephrotic syndrome type 10 (NPHS10). [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2015]
Population Genetics & Constraint
gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance
Highly tolerant — LoF variants common in population
Tolerant to missense variation
This gene — mechanism propensity
This gene has evidence for multiple mechanisms of pathogenicity (gain-of-function and dominant-negative). Both the Badonyi & Marsh prediction and the broader genomic evidence point to gain-of-function as the predominant mechanism. Different variants in this gene may act through different mechanisms — interpret in context of the specific variant.
Note: In-silico variant effect predictors (SIFT, PolyPhen, REVEL, CADD) may underestimate pathogenicity of missense variants in genes with GOF or DN mechanisms. Consider functional evidence and clinical context.
Predictions from Badonyi M, Marsh JA. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(8):e0307312.
ClinVar Variant Classifications
121 submitted variants in ClinVar
Classification Summary
Curated Variants Distribution
Classified variants from ClinVar · 5 ACMG categories
| Classification | LoF | Missense + Inframe | Non-coding | Synonymous | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pathogenic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Likely Pathogenic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
VUS | 2 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 43 |
Likely Benign | 0 | 2 | 19 | 20 | 41 |
Benign | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 23 |
Conflicting | — | 1 | |||
| Total | 4 | 43 | 40 | 23 | 111 |
LoF = frameshift, stop gained/lost, canonical splice · Counts from ClinVar esearch · Updated hourly
View in ClinVar →20 pathogenic / likely-pathogenic (of 40) ClinVar copy-number / structural variants overlap EMP2 — these span large chromosomal regions, not the gene specifically, and are excluded from the counts above. Explore in CNV tools →
Protein Context — Lollipop Plot
EMP2 · protein map & ClinVar variants
Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.
External Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools
Clinical Trials
Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov
No active trials found for this gene.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov →External Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools