InterPro domain: IPR027121

Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 33 (Vps33) is essential for vacuolar biogenesis, maturation and function. It is involved in the sorting of vacuolar proteins from the Golgi apparatus and their targeting to the vacuole [ 1 ]. In worm, fly, zebrafish and mammals two homologues of yeast Vps33p have been detected (termed VPS33A and VPS33B in humans). These homologues may reflect the evolution of organelle/tissue-specific functions in multicellular organisms. It is thought that VPS33B may be required for transport to conventional lysosomes, while VPS33A is mainly involved in biogenesis of melanosomes and related lysosomal compartments [ 2 , 3 ].

1. Characterization of vps33+, a gene required for vacuolar biogenesis and protein sorting in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Yeast 20, 845-55
2. The mouse organellar biogenesis mutant buff results from a mutation in Vps33a, a homologue of yeast vps33 and Drosophila carnation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 1146-50
3. Comparative evolutionary analysis of VPS33 homologues: genetic and functional insights. Hum. Mol. Genet. 14, 1261-70