This family is conserved from plants and fungi to humans. Erv46 works in close conjunction with Erv41 and together they form a complex which cycles between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Erv46-41 interacts strongly with the endoplasmic reticulum glucosidase II. Mammalian glucosidase II comprises a catalytic alpha-subunit and a 58 kDa beta subunit, which is required for ER localisation. All proteins identified biochemically as Erv41p-Erv46p interactors are localised to the early secretory pathway and are involved in protein maturation and processing in the ER and/or sorting into COPII vesicles for transport to the Golgi [3].

1: Proteomics of ERGIC membranes from brefeldin A-treated HepG2 cells identifies ERGIC-32, a new cycling protein that interacts with human Erv46. Breuza L, Halbeisen R, Jeno P, Otte S, Barlowe C, Hong W, Hauri HP; J Biol Chem 2004; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:15308636

2: Erv41p and Erv46p: new components of COPII vesicles involved in transport between the ER and Golgi complex. Otte S, Belden WJ, Heidtman M, Liu J, Jensen ON, Barlowe C; J Cell Biol. 2001;152:503-518. PMID:11157978

3: Genetic and molecular interactions of the Erv41p-Erv46p complex involved in transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Welsh LM, Tong AH, Boone C, Jensen ON, Otte S; J Cell Sci. 2006;119:4730-4740. PMID:17077122