Background of the antigen
The endophilins comprise a family of three SH3 domain-containing proteins designated Endophilin I, II and III, or alternatively known as SH3P4, SH3P8 and SH3P13, respectively. These proteins associate with Amphiphysin, Synaptojanin and Dynamin and are implicated in presynaptic vesicle trafficking at nerve terminals. The expression patterns of the endophilins are consistent with their cellular functions at the neuronal synapse, as Endophilin I is ex- pressed only in the brain. Both Endophilin II and Endophilin III are detected in a variety of tissues. Endophilin I is also implicated in modulating G protein-coupled receptor signaling by functioning as an adapter protein and directing 1 adrenergic receptors to the endocytic machinery.
