Prefoldin subunit 3 （VBP1） is a member of the prefoldin subunit alpha family. VBP1 interacts with the Von Hippel-Lindau protein in order to create an intracellular complex. Since VBP1 serves as a chaperone protein， it is assumed to have a role in the transport of the Von Hippel-Lindau protein from the perinuclear granules to the nucleus or cytoplasm. VBP1 binds specifically to cytosolic chaperonin （c-CPN） and transfers target proteins to it. VBP1 also binds to nascent polypeptide chain and stimulates folding in an environment in which there are numerous competing pathways for nonnative proteins.
