Tubulin Epsilon (TUBe)

TUBe encodes a member of the tubulin superfamily. This protein localizes to the centriolar sub-distal appendages that are associated with the older of the two centrioles after centrosome duplication. This protein plays a central role in organization of the microtubules during centriole duplication. A pseudogene of this gene is found on chromosome 5.The deduced 475-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of 53 kD. TUBE contains the conserved GTP-binding domain shared with other tubulins, but it lacks the highly acidic C terminus characteristic of alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin. Relative to other tubulins, it also has a 26-amino acid insertion between helices 6 and 7.Localization of TUBE within the centrosome of dividing osteogenic sarcoma cells was dependent on the cell-cycle stage.