Methods and uses related to rhbdl4

A method of inducing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in a system, said method comprising increasing RHBDL4 activity in said system.

A method of activating RHBDL4 in a system comprising activating protein kinase C (PKC) in said system.

Use of a siRNA against RHBDL4 in the manufacture of a medicament for a disease associated with EGFR transactivation.

A method of treating cancer, kidney disease or cardiovascular disease comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a siRNA wherein said siRNA comprises the sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3.

Use of recombinant or purified RHBDL4, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, as a protease.

Use of recombinant or purified RHBDL4, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, as a rhomboid secretase protease.

Use of recombinant or purified RHBDL4, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, in the cleavage of a polypeptide transmembrane domain.

Use of recombinant or purified RHBDL4, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, in the transactivation of EGFR.

Use of recombinant or purified RHBDL4, or a catalytically active fragment thereof, in the release of a substrate polypeptide from a membrane.

A method of releasing a substrate polypeptide from a membrane, said method comprising contacting said substrate polypeptide with recombinant or purified RHBDL4 or a catalytically active fragment thereof.

A method of processing pro-TGFalpha, said method comprising contacting pro-TGFalpha with recombinant or purified RHBDL4 protein, or a catalytically active fragment thereof.

A method of inhibiting transactivation of an ErbB family receptor in a system, said method comprising inhibiting RHBDL4 in said system.