background:
Neuron navigator 1 is a 1877 amino acid cytoplasmic protein that is involved in neuronal migration. Neuron navigtor 1 is widely expressed at low levels, though highest expression is found in both adult and fetal nervous tissue. Through interaction with tubulin, Neuron navigator 1 associates with a subset of mirotubule plus ends present in the growth cone. Overexpression of Neuron navigator 1 leads to microtubule bundling, whereas a reduction of its levels causes loss of directionality in the migration of pontine cell leading processes. There are seven isoforms of Neuron navigator 1 that are produced as a result of alternative splicing events.
Function:
The development of the nervous system (NS) requires the coordinated migration of multiple waves of neurons and subsequent processes of neurite maturation, both involving selective guidance mechanisms. In Caenorhabditis elegans, unc-53 codes for a new multidomain protein involved in the directional migration of a subset of cells. We describe here the first functional characterization of the mouse homologue, mouse Neuron navigator 1 (mNAV1) expression is primarily restricted to the CNS during development. mNAV1 is a microtubules associated protein. The abolition of mNAV1 causes loss of directionality in the leading processes of pontine-migrating cells, providing evidence for a role of mNAV1 in mediating (Netrin1-induced) directional migration.
Subunit:
Interacts with tubulin
Subcellular Location:
Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton. Note=Associates with a subset of microtubule plus ends. Enriched in neuronal growth cones.
Tissue Specificity:
Broadly expressed at low levels. Expressed at high levels in heart, skeletal muscle and placenta.
Similarity:
Belongs to the Nav/unc-53 family.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q8NEY1.2
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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