T Complex Protein 1 (TCP1)

TCP1 is a molecular chaperone that is a member of the chaperonin containing TCP1 complex (CCT), also known as the TCP1 ring complex (TRiC). This complex consists of two identical stacked rings, each containing eight different proteins. Unfolded polypeptides enter the central cavity of the complex and are folded in an ATP-dependent manner. The complex folds various proteins, including actin and tubulin. Alternate transcriptional splice variants of this gene, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. In addition, three pseudogenes that appear to be derived from this gene have been found.The finding was confirmed by means of a cDNA probe for the human TCP1 gene. TCP1 codes for a protein which is abundantly expressed in testes as well as in other tissues.