PROSITE documentation PDOC00199Tubulin subunits alpha, beta, and gamma signature
Tubulins [1,2], the major constituent of microtubules are dimeric proteins which consist of two closely related subunits (α and β). Tubulin binds two molecules of GTP at two different sites (N and E). At the E (Exchangeable) site, GTP is hydrolyzed during incorporation into the microtubule. Near the E site is an invariant region rich in glycines which is found in both chains and which is now [3] said to control the access of the nucleotide to its binding site. We developed a signature pattern from this region.
With the exception of the simple eukaryotes, most species express a variety of closely related α and β isotypes.
In most species there is a third member of the tubulin family: γ tubulin. γ tubulin is found at microtubule organizing centers (MTOC) such as the spindle poles or the centrosome, suggesting that it is involved in the minus-end nucleation of microtubule assembly [4].
Note:The first residue in the pattern is Gly in all α and β tubulins, and is Ala or Ser in γ-tubulin.
Note:This pattern is almost identical to the GTP-binding site of the bacterial protein ftsZ (see <PDOC00873>) whose role in prokaryotes is probably similar to that of tubulins.
Last update:November 1995 / Text revised.
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PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:
| 1 | Authors | Cleveland D.W. Sullivan K.F. |
| Title | Molecular biology and genetics of tubulin. | |
| Source | Annu. Rev. Biochem. 54:331-365(1985). | |
| PubMed ID | 3896122 | |
| DOI | 10.1146/annurev.bi.54.070185.001555; |
| 2 | Authors | Joshi H.C. Cleveland D.W. |
| Title | Diversity among tubulin subunits: toward what functional end? | |
| Source | Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 16:159-163(1990). | |
| PubMed ID | 2194680 |
| 3 | Authors | Hesse J. Thierauf M. Ponstingl H. |
| Title | Tubulin sequence region beta 155-174 is involved in binding exchangeable guanosine triphosphate. | |
| Source | J. Biol. Chem. 262:15472-15475(1987). | |
| PubMed ID | 3680207 |
| 4 | Authors | Joshi H.C. |
| Title | Gamma-tubulin: the hub of cellular microtubule assemblies. | |
| Source | BioEssays 15:637-643(1993). | |
| PubMed ID | 8274140 |
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