KATNB1
Description
The KATNB1 (katanin regulatory subunit B1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 16.
KATNB1 encodes Katanin p80 WD40-containing subunit B1, a protein involved in microtubule organization. Katanin is a heterodimer composed of a 60 kDa ATPase (p60 subunit A 1) and an 80 kDa accessory protein (p80 subunit B 1). The p60 subunit severs and disassembles microtubules, while the p80 subunit targets the enzyme to the centrosome. KATNB1 is associated with microlissencephaly, a condition characterized by a smooth brain surface.
KATNB1, also known as katanin p80 subunit B1, plays a crucial role in microtubule severing, a process vital for cellular organization and function. As part of a complex, KATNB1 utilizes ATP to sever microtubules, facilitating their rapid reorganization within the cell. This severing action is particularly important for releasing microtubules from the centrosome, a microtubule-organizing center, following their nucleation. Microtubule release from the mitotic spindle poles allows depolymerization, contributing to poleward microtubule flux and chromosome movement during cell division. In neurons, KATNB1-mediated microtubule severing is essential for transporting microtubules into neuronal processes, which is crucial for axonal growth.
KATNB1 is also known as KAT, LIS6.
