This entry represents Katanin p60 subunit A-like 1 (Katnal1) from chordates. Katnal1 regulates microtubule dynamics in Sertoli cells, a process that is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. It colocalizes with microtubules throughout the basal and adluminal compartments of Sertoli cells. It severs microtubules in an ATP-dependent manner, promoting rapid reorganisation of cellular microtubule arrays [].
Katanin is an ATP-dependent microtubule severing protein composed of 60kDa (katanin-p60) and 80kDa (katanin-p80) subunits encoded by KATNA1 and KATNB1 genes, respectively []. Katanin-p60 has the enzymatic activity for microtubule severing, while katanin-p80 possesses multiple functions such as targeting katanin-p60 to the centrosome, augmenting microtubule severing by katanin-p60, and even suppressing microtubule severing []. This entry represents the katanin p60 subunit A1 subfamily, including KATNA1 and KATNAL1 from humans, and meiotic spindle formation protein MEI-1 from C. elegans. MEI-1 is required for translocation of the meiosis I spindle to the oocyte cortex in C. elegans [].
