| Tubulin | |
|---|---|
| Genes | [TUBB](/genes/tubb), [TUBA](/genes/tuba) |
| UniProt ID | P07437 (β-Tubulin) |
| Molecular Weight | ~55 kDa (β-tubulin) |
| Subcellular Localization | Microtubules, cytoplasm |
| Protein Family | Tubulin family |
Tubulin Protein is a protein encoded by the TUBB gene. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
Tubulin is a heterodimeric protein consisting of α-tubulin and β-tubulin subunits that polymerize to form microtubules[1]. Each tubulin heterodimer binds GTP and undergoes conformational changes essential for polymerization[2]. The β-tubulin subunit has a variable C-terminal tail that interacts with microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs)[3].
Microtubules are essential for:
Microtubule dysfunction is central to AD pathogenesis[8]:
microtubule alterations contribute to PD pathogenesis[9]:
Tubulin dysfunction in ALS[10]:
Mutations in tubulin genes cause neurological disorders[11]:
| Approach | Status | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Microtubule stabilizers | Clinical | Taxol derivatives for neurodegenerative disease |
| Kinesin modulators | Preclinical | Enhance axonal transport |
| MAP-tau interaction blockers | Preclinical | Reduce tau-mediated microtubule disruption |
| Gene therapy | Preclinical | Deliver functional tubulin genes |
Downing KH, et al. Tubulin structure and GTP hydrolysis. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology. 2000. ↩︎
Serrano L, et al. Tubulin C-terminal tails. Journal of Molecular Biology. 1985. ↩︎
Vallee RB, et al. Dynein and kinesin motors. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 2005. ↩︎
Baas PW, et al. Neuronal polarity. Journal of Neurobiology. 1999. ↩︎
Lee A, et al. Microtubules and synaptic function. Trends in Neurosciences. 2000. ↩︎
Hirokawa N, et al. Axonal transport. Annual Review of Neuroscience. 1989. ↩︎
Baas PW, et al. Microtubules in AD. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. 2016. ↩︎
Cartelli G, et al. Microtubules in PD. Molecular Neurobiology. 2016. ↩︎
Ferraiuolo L, et al. Axonal transport in ALS. Neurobiology of Aging. 2011. ↩︎
Romaniello R, et al. Tubulinopathies. Nature Reviews Neurology. 2018. ↩︎