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COG4 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/cog4/

COG4 gene

component of oligomeric golgi complex 4

Normal Function

The COG4 gene provides instructions for making a protein called component of oligomeric Golgi complex 4 (COG4). As its name suggests, COG4 is one piece of a group of proteins known as the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. This complex is important for maintaining normal functions in the Golgi apparatus, which is a cell structure in which newly produced proteins are modified so they can carry out their functions. An example of a protein modification process that occurs in the Golgi apparatus is glycosylation, by which sugar molecules (oligosaccharides) are attached to proteins and fats. Glycosylation modifies proteins so they can perform a wider variety of functions.

The COG complex plays an important role in a process called retrograde transport, through which proteins are moved from the Golgi apparatus to another cellular structure called the endoplasmic reticulum. Among its many functions, the endoplasmic reticulum folds and modifies newly formed proteins so they have the correct 3-dimensional shape. This transport pathway is called retrograde because it is in reverse order of the usual process for newly produced proteins. New proteins undergo initial processing in the endoplasmic reticulum then move to the Golgi apparatus for further modification before being released from the cell (secreted). Retrograde transport is important for sending unneeded proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum to get recycled and for relocating misplaced proteins within the cell.

For retrograde transport, proteins first must be incorporated into sac-like structures called vesicles that get attached to the Golgi apparatus membrane. The COG complex controls the attachment (tethering) of the vesicles to the Golgi membrane in preparation for transport. Once the proteins are incorporated, the vesicles detach and carry the proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Saul-Wilson syndrome

At least two mutations in the COG4 gene have been found to cause Saul-Wilson syndrome, a condition characterized by short stature (dwarfism) and other skeletal abnormalities. The mutations change single DNA building blocks (nucleotides) in the COG4 gene. These two nucleotide changes result in the same alteration in the COG4 protein. The protein building block (amino acid) glycine is switched to the amino acid arginine at position 516 in the protein (written as Gly516Arg or G516R).

The amino acid change in the COG4 protein alters its structure, but the abnormal protein is still able to be a part of the COG complex. When the abnormal COG4 protein is incorporated into the COG complex, retrograde transport of proteins between the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum is increased. Because the COG4 gene mutations enhance the COG complex's function, they are described as "gain-of-function." It is unclear how increased retrograde transport impairs bone growth and leads to the signs and symptoms of Saul-Wilson syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Mutations in the COG4 gene have also been found to cause a condition called COG4-congenital disorder of glycosylation (COG4-CDG). This condition often leads to developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, and an unusually small head size (microcephaly). Mutations in the COG4 gene that cause COG4-CDG reduce the amount of COG4 protein or eliminate it completely, which likely impairs COG complex formation and its role in maintaining the normal function of the Golgi apparatus. A dysfunctional Golgi apparatus results in abnormal protein glycosylation, which can affect multiple body systems, leading to the signs and symptoms of COG4-CDG.

Other Names for This Gene

  • COD1
  • COD1, S. CEREVISIAE, HOMOLOG OF
  • COG4 gene

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Blackburn JB, D'Souza Z, Lupashin VV. Maintaining order: COG complex controls Golgi trafficking, processing, and sorting. FEBS Lett. 2019 Sep;593(17):2466-2487. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.13570. Epub 2019 Aug 16. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Ferreira C. Saul-Wilson Syndrome. 2020 Feb 20. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554080/ Citation on PubMed
  • Ferreira CR, Xia ZJ, Clement A, Parry DA, Davids M, Taylan F, Sharma P, Turgeon CT, Blanco-Sanchez B, Ng BG, Logan CV, Wolfe LA, Solomon BD, Cho MT, Douglas G, Carvalho DR, Bratke H, Haug MG, Phillips JB, Wegner J, Tiemeyer M, Aoki K; Undiagnosed Diseases Network; Scottish Genome Partnership; Nordgren A, Hammarsjo A, Duker AL, Rohena L, Hove HB, Ek J, Adams D, Tifft CJ, Onyekweli T, Weixel T, Macnamara E, Radtke K, Powis Z, Earl D, Gabriel M, Russi AHS, Brick L, Kozenko M, Tham E, Raymond KM, Phillips JA 3rd, Tiller GE, Wilson WG, Hamid R, Malicdan MCV, Nishimura G, Grigelioniene G, Jackson A, Westerfield M, Bober MB, Gahl WA, Freeze HH. A Recurrent De Novo Heterozygous COG4 Substitution Leads to Saul-Wilson Syndrome, Disrupted Vesicular Trafficking, and Altered Proteoglycan Glycosylation. Am J Hum Genet. 2018 Oct 4;103(4):553-567. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.09.003. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Ferreira CR, Zein WM, Huryn LA, Merker A, Berger SI, Wilson WG, Tiller GE, Wolfe LA, Merideth M, Carvalho DR, Duker AL, Bratke H, Haug MG, Rohena L, Hove HB, Xia ZJ, Ng BG, Freeze HH, Gabriel M, Russi AHS, Brick L, Kozenko M, Earl DL, Tham E, Nishimura G, Phillips JA 3rd, Gahl WA, Hamid R, Jackson AP, Grigelioniene G, Bober MB. Defining the clinical phenotype of Saul-Wilson syndrome. Genet Med. 2020 May;22(5):857-866. doi: 10.1038/s41436-019-0737-1. Epub 2020 Jan 17. Citation on PubMed
  • Reynders E, Foulquier F, Leao Teles E, Quelhas D, Morelle W, Rabouille C, Annaert W, Matthijs G. Golgi function and dysfunction in the first COG4-deficient CDG type II patient. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Sep 1;18(17):3244-56. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp262. Epub 2009 Jun 3. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Richardson BC, Smith RD, Ungar D, Nakamura A, Jeffrey PD, Lupashin VV, Hughson FM. Structural basis for a human glycosylation disorder caused by mutation of the COG4 gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Aug 11;106(32):13329-34. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0901966106. Epub 2009 Jul 27. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

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