Amphiphysins function primarily in endocytosis and other membrane remodeling events. They exist in several isoforms and mammals possess two amphiphysin proteins from distinct genes. Amphiphysin I proteins, enriched in the brain and nervous system, contain domains that bind clathrin, Adaptor Protein complex 2 (AP2), dynamin, and synaptojanin. They function in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Human autoantibodies to amphiphysin I hinder GABAergic signaling and contribute to the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic stiff-person syndrome. Amphiphysins contain an N-terminal BAR domain with an additional N-terminal amphipathic helix (an N-BAR), a variable central domain, and a C-terminal SH3 domain. The SH3 domain of amphiphysins bind proline-rich motifs present in binding partners such as dynamin, synaptojanin, and nsP3. It also belongs to a subset of SH3 domains that bind ubiquitin in a site that overlaps with the peptide binding site. SH3 domains are protein interaction domains that bind to proline-rich ligands with moderate affinity and selectivity, preferentially to PxxP motifs. They play versatile and diverse roles in the cell including the regulation of enzymes, changing the subcellular localization of signaling pathway components, and mediating the formation of multiprotein complex assemblies.
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