TUBA4A
TUBA4A (tubulin alpha 4a, also known as H2-ALPHA, TUBA1 and FLJ30169) encodes an alpha-tubulin, a core subunit of microtubules in the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. Alpha-tubulin pairs with beta-tubulin to form the heterodimers from which microtubules are built. Browse Assay Genie's current range of TUBA4A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Tubulin is the major constituent of microtubules, which are cylinders of laterally associated linear protofilaments made from alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers. Microtubules grow by the addition of GTP-tubulin dimers to the microtubule end, where a stabilising cap forms. Below the cap, tubulin dimers are in a GDP-bound state, owing to the GTPase activity of alpha-tubulin. TUBA4A contributes one of these alpha-tubulin subunits and is found in the cytoplasm as part of the cytoskeleton.
The TUBA4A gene belongs to the tubulin alpha family within the tubulin superfamily, which comprises six distinct families. Alpha, beta and gamma tubulin genes are found in all eukaryotes. Alpha and beta tubulins are the major components of microtubules, whereas gamma tubulin has a critical role in nucleating microtubule assembly. There are multiple alpha and beta tubulin genes, and they are highly conserved within and between species. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for this gene.
TUBA4A encodes an alpha tubulin that is a highly conserved homolog of a rat testis-specific alpha tubulin, which is reflected in its previous names, tubulin alpha 1 (testis specific) and tubulin alpha 1. Orthologous genes are named Tuba4a in both mouse and rat. Researchers studying microtubule structure, dynamics and tubulin isoform diversity use TUBA4A as one of several alpha-tubulin family members.
Alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers form the microtubule cylinder, making TUBA4A relevant to studies of cytoskeletal assembly and structure.
GTP-tubulin addition builds a stabilising cap, while alpha-tubulin GTPase activity yields GDP-bound dimers below it, a process studied through tubulin subunits.
Multiple highly conserved alpha and beta tubulin genes exist, so TUBA4A is useful for comparing family members and isoforms.
Microtubules of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton perform essential and diverse functions, placing TUBA4A within broad studies of cellular organisation.
TUBA4A encodes an alpha-tubulin that pairs with beta-tubulin to form heterodimers, the building blocks of microtubules. Alpha-tubulin has GTPase activity, which leaves dimers below the stabilising GTP cap in a GDP-bound state. The protein is located in the cytoplasm as part of the cytoskeleton.
TUBA4A is also known as H2-ALPHA, TUBA1 and FLJ30169, and was previously named tubulin alpha 1 (testis specific) and tubulin alpha 1. Its full name is tubulin alpha 4a. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for the gene.
Alpha and beta tubulin genes are highly conserved among and between species. TUBA4A encodes a highly conserved homolog of a rat testis-specific alpha tubulin, and mouse and rat both carry a Tuba4a ortholog. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other alpha-tubulin family members and microtubule-related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P68366; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.