Ventricular Zone Expressed PH Domain Containing 1 (VEPH1): an adaptor protein capable of modulating multiple signaling transduction pathways during normal and pathological development

Ventricular Zone Expressed PH Domain-Containing 1 (VEPH1) is an 833-amino acid protein encoded by an evolutionarily conserved single-copy gene that emerged with pseudocoelomates. This gene has no paralog in any species identified to date and few studies have investigated the function of its encoded protein. Loss of expression of its ortholog, melted, in Drosophila results in a severe neural phenotype and impacts TOR, FoxO, and Hippo signaling. Studies in mammals indicate a role for VEPH1 in modulating TGFβ signaling and AKT activation, while numerous studies indicate VEPH1 expression is altered in several pathological conditions, including cancer. Although often referred to as an uncharacterized protein, available evidence supports VEPH1 as an adaptor protein capable of modulating multiple signal transduction networks. Further studies are required to define these adaptor functions and the role of VEPH1 in development and disease progression.