The microprotein Dafcin resembles influenza HA fusion peptide and regulates the size of storage lysosomes in the germline
Kevin G. Nyberg, Ryder Easterlin, Cooper W.P. Stringer, Hamdi K Kucukengin, Manny J Widuch, Kyung Je Lee, Silpol Dhiantravan, Megan A. Wong, Richard W. Carthew
The paper identifies Dafcin, a microprotein in Drosophila, which resembles the influenza HA fusion peptide and regulates yolk granule size by inducing negative membrane curvature.
bioRxiv · Jul 9, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology