InterPro domain: IPR009617

Seipin is a cell-autonomous regulator of lipolysis essential for adipocyte differentiation [ 1 ]. Seipin is predicted to contain two transmembrane domains at residues 28-49 and 237-258, in humans, and a third transmembrane domain might be present at residues 155-173. Mutations in the Seipin gene underlie human congenital generalized lipodystrophy [ 2 ]. Seipin may also be implicated in Silver spastic paraplegia syndrome and distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V [ 3 ].

This entry also includes Seipin homologues from fission yeasts and plants. There are three SEIPIN homologues in Arabidopsis thaliana, designated SEIPIN1, SEIPIN2, and SEIPIN3. Similar to their animal homologus, plant and yeast Seipins also play roles in lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis [ 3 ].

1. Berardinelli-seip congenital lipodystrophy 2/seipin is a cell-autonomous regulator of lipolysis essential for adipocyte differentiation. Mol. Cell. Biol. 32, 1099-111
2. Identification of the gene altered in Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy on chromosome 11q13. Nat. Genet. 28, 365-70
3. Arabidopsis SEIPIN Proteins Modulate Triacylglycerol Accumulation and Influence Lipid Droplet Proliferation. Plant Cell 27, 2616-36