TIP47 (tail-interacting protein of 47 kDa) binds to the cytoplasmic domains of mannose 6-phosphate receptors and is required for their transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network in vitro and in living cells. TIP47 occurs in cytosol as an oligomer; it chromatographs with an apparent mass of approximately 300 kDa and displays an S-value of approximately 13. Recombinant TIP47 forms homo-oligomers that are likely to represent hexamers, as determined by chemical cross-linking. Removal of TIP47 residues 1-151 yields a protein that behaves as a monomer upon gel filtration, yet is fully capable of binding mannose 6-phosphate receptor cytoplasmic domains. The presence of an oligomerization domain in the N-terminus of TIP47 was confirmed by expression of N-terminal residues 1-133 or 1-257 in mammalian cells. Co-expression of full-length TIP47 with either of these fragments led to the formation of higher-order aggregates of wild-type TIP47. Furthermore, the N-terminal domains expressed alone also occurred as oligomers. These studies reveal an N-terminal oligomerization domain in TIP47, and show that oligomerization is not required for TIP47 recognition of mannose 6-phosphate receptors. However, oligomerization is required for TIP47 stimulation of mannose 6-phosphate receptor transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi in vivo.