KEG1/YFR042w encodes a novel Kre6-binding endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein responsible for beta-1,6-glucan synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

KEG1/YFR042w of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential gene that encodes a 200-amino acid polypeptide with four predicted transmembrane domains. The green fluorescent protein- or Myc(6)-tagged Keg1 protein showed the typical characteristics of an integral membrane protein and was found in the endoplasmic reticulum by fluorescence imaging. Immunoprecipitation from the Triton X-100-solubilized cell lysate revealed that Keg1 binds to Kre6, which has been known to participate in beta-1,6-glucan synthesis.