Stathmin

From Proteopedia

Function

Stathmin-4 (STM-4) or stathmin-like protein B3 regulates microtubules dynamics. Microtubules undergo continuous assembly and disassembly in the cell’s cytoskeleton. STM-4 binds to tubulin and prevents the latter from polymerization thus preventing microtubule assembly. Phosphorylation of STM-4 weakens the binding of STM-4 to tubulin enabling the microtubule assembly needed for the formation of mitotic spindle. Thus, STM-4 is an oncoprotein. STM-4 contains an SLD (Stathmin-Like Domain) domain of 149 residues which binds the tubulin dimer^[1].

Disease

Decreased levels of STM-4 are found in brains of adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease^[2].

3D Structures of stathmin-4

Stathmin-4 3D structures

Rat stathmin SLD domain (magenta) complex with tubulin α chain (grey, pink), tubulin β chain (green, yellow), GTP, sulfate and Mg+2 ions (PDB code 3ryf)

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

References

↑ Curmi PA, Gavet O, Charbaut E, Ozon S, Lachkar-Colmerauer S, Manceau V, Siavoshian S, Maucuer A, Sobel A. Stathmin and its phosphoprotein family: general properties, biochemical and functional interaction with tubulin. Cell Struct Funct. 1999 Oct;24(5):345-57. PMID:15216892
↑ Cheon MS, Fountoulakis M, Cairns NJ, Dierssen M, Herkner K, Lubec G. Decreased protein levels of stathmin in adult brains with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2001;(61):281-8. PMID:11771751