EXOC8 encodes a component of the exocyst complex, an evolutionarily conserved eight-protein complex essential for vesicle trafficking and membrane fusion 1. The primary function involves mediating fusion of intracellular vesicles to the plasma membrane, participating in processes including ciliogenesis, cytokinesis, cell migration, and autophagy 1. EXOC8 regulates cortical development through control of neural progenitor cell proliferation and survival 1. Loss-of-function variants in EXOC8 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by brain atrophy, seizures, developmental delay, and in severe cases, microcephaly and infantile death 12. The protein functions through vesicle docking and tethering mechanisms essential for proper exocytosis and membrane trafficking. Disease-causing variants include both splice variants and nonsense mutations that result in protein truncation 12. Clinical significance includes its role as a diagnostic target for neurodevelopmental disorders, with whole-exome sequencing identifying pathogenic variants in consanguineous families 32. Additionally, EXOC8 shows altered expression in various pathological conditions including hepatocellular carcinoma and parathyroid hyperplasia, suggesting broader cellular regulatory functions 45.