CKAP5 - Cytoskeleton Associated Protein 5

This gene encodes a cytoskeleton-associated protein which belongs to the TOG/XMAP215 family. The N-terminal half of this protein contains a microtubule-binding domain and the C-terminal half contains a KXGS motif for binding tubulin dimers. This protein has two distinct roles in spindle formation; it protects kinetochore microtubules from depolymerization and plays an essential role in centrosomal microtubule assembly. This protein may be necessary for the proper interaction of microtubules with the cell cortex for directional cell movement. It also plays a role in translation of the myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNA by interacting with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2, which associates with MBP. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011]