Calmodulin Regulated Spectrin Associated Protein 3 (CAMSAP3)

The deduced 1,253-amino acid human Nezha protein  contains an N-terminal calponin homology domain, 2 central coiled-coil regions, and a C-terminal DUF1781 domain. Western blot analysis of human Caco2 cells detected major and minor Nezha proteins with apparent molecular masses of 150 and 160 kD, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis of Caco2 cells revealed Nezha in a punctate distribution within the cytoplasm. It also localized along the zonula adherens, but only in mature cell-cell contacts.Nezha bound microtubules at their minus ends and tethered them to the zona adherens. The minus end-directed motor protein KIFC3 concentrated at the zona adherens in a manner dependent upon PLEKHA7, Nezha, and microtubules, and depletion of any of these proteins resulted in disorganized zona adherens.