Xiaoyang Fan, Yuqi Xie, Sitong Cao, Li Zhu, Xueting Wang

Institute of Special Environmental Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xueting Wang; Li Zhu, Institute of Special Medicine, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, Jiangsu, 226009, People’s Republic of China, Email wangxueting@ntu.edu.cn; zhulizhou@ntu.edu.cn

Abstract: The Vacuolar Protein Sorting 35 (VPS35)-Retromer complex plays a pivotal role in intracellular protein trafficking and recycling. As an integral component of the Retromer complex, VPS35 selectively recognizes and retrogradely transports membrane protein receptors to the trans-Golgi network, thereby preventing the degradation of transmembrane proteins by lysosomes after they have fulfilled their physiological functions, and facilitating their continued activity. VPS35 regulates autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial homeostasis, and various other biological processes, including epidermal regeneration, neuronal iron homeostasis, and synaptic function. Studies have shown that mutations or dysfunctions in VPS35 disrupt the normal operation of Retromer, impair neuronal health and survival, and contribute to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Additionally, VPS35 modulates tumor growth and metastasis in cancers such as liver and breast cancer through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Targeting VPS35 might be a potential therapy in clinic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.

Keywords: vacuolar protein sorting 35, retromer, endosome-lysosome pathway, autophagy, mitochondrial homeostasis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, retinal ganglion cell degeneration, cancer, anemia