Unlocking the Potential of TUBA4B as a Drug Target and Biomarker

Target Name: TUBA4B

NCBI ID: G80086

Unlocking the Potential of TUBA4B as a Drug Target and Biomarker

Tubulin, alpha 4b (pseudogene), is a protein that plays a critical role in the structure and function of microtubules, which are essential components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. Mutations in the tubulin gene have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric disorders, highlighting its potential as a drug target and biomarker. TUBA4B, a specific tubulin alpha 4b variant, has received particular attention due to its unique structure and function. In this article, we will explore the potential of TUBA4B as a drug target and biomarker, highlighting its unique features and the progress that has been made in the research of this protein.

Structure and Function of TUBA4B

Tubulin alpha 4b is a 21-kDa protein that contains 10 transmembrane domains and a N-terminus. It forms a highly stable and highly homogeneous monomeric state, which is in contrast to other tubulin variants that often exist in a disordered or monomeric-protein-interconvertible forms. The alpha 4b variant has a unique feature, an N-terminal extension that includes a 24 amino acid residue, known as the N-terminal hypervariable region (N-VHR).

The N-VHR is a region that is involved in various functions, including the regulation of microtubule dynamics and stability. It is also involved in the formation of the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) complex, which plays a key role in regulating microtubule dynamics and stability. The N-VHR is also known as the \"S-type\" domain, named after its structural similarity to the protein S-phase RNA polymerase.

Expression and Function of TUBA4B

TUBA4B is a highly expressed protein, with a wide range of cellular localizations throughout the cytoskeleton. It is predominantly expressed in the cytosol, and is also found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). TUBA4B is involved in various cellular processes, including cell division, intracellular transport, and cytoskeleton organization.

In addition to its cytoskeleton functions, TUBA4B is also involved in various signaling pathways. For example, it is a target of the protein kinase B, which regulates cell growth, differentiation, and survival. TUBA4B has also been shown to play a role in the regulation of the DNA damage response, which is a critical mechanism that protects cells from various forms of DNA damage, including mutations.

Drug Targeting and Biomarker Potential

The unique structure and function of TUBA4B make it an attractive drug target. The N-VHR has been shown to be involved in various cellular processes, including the regulation of microtubule dynamics and stability, which could provide potential targets for small molecules. In addition, TUBA4B is involved in various signaling pathways, which could provide targets for drugs that target signaling pathways involved in cell growth, differentiation, and survival.

One of the most promising compounds that has been shown to interact with TUBA4B is the drug rapamycin. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the protein kinase B, which is a known regulator of TUBA4B. Rapamycin has been shown to stabilize the N-VHR and to inhibit the formation of the MAP complex, which plays a key role in regulating micro

Protein Name: Tubulin Alpha 4b

More Common Targets