Cytoplasmic dynein is the major motor protein complex responsible for minus-end, microtubule-based motile processes. Each dynein complex consists of 2 heavy chains that have ATPase and motor activities, plus a group of accessory polypeptides. TCTEX1 is a dynein light chain involved in cargo binding (Chuang et al., 2005 [PubMed 15992542]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008].

The protein encoded by this gene is one of the highly conserved mini-chromosome maintenance proteins (MCM) that are essential for the initiation of eukaryotic genome replication. The hexameric protein complex formed by the MCM proteins is a key component of the pre-replication complex (pre_RC) and may be involved in the formation of replication forks and in the recruitment of other DNA replication related proteins. The MCM complex consisting of this protein and MCM2, 4 and 7 proteins posses

A number of specific carrier proteins for members of the vitamin A family have been discovered. Cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABP) are low molecular weight proteins whose precise function remains unknown. The inducibility of the CRABP2 gene suggests that this isoform is important in retinoic acid-mediated regulation of human skin growth and differentiation. It has been postulated that the CRABP2 gene is transcriptionally regulated by a newly synthesized regulatory protein.

The protein encoded by this gene localizes to the primary cilium and to the plasma membrane. The gene functions in centriole migration to the apical membrane and formation of the primary cilium. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Defects in this gene are a cause of Meckel syndrome type 3 (MKS3) and Joubert syndrome type 6 (JBTS6). [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2008]

GNAQ belong to the family of heterotrimeric Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins proteins that couple cell surface, 7-transmembrane domain receptors to intracellular signaling pathways. Receptor activation catalyzes the exchange of GTP for GDP bound to the inactive G protein alpha subunit resulting in a conformational change and dissociation of the complex. GNAQ is the alpha subunit of one of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins that mediates stimulation of phospholipase C-beta. in recent st

Known to be prominent in bacteria, D amino acids were generally thought to be absent in mammals. D-serine has since been found in high levels in the mammalian brain and in various mammalian fluids. D-serine activates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors--molecules with important roles in learning, brain growth and brain cell death. Serine racemase is the enzyme catalyzing the formation of D-serine from L-serine. Serine racemase is a member of the family of pyridoxal-5’ phosphate-dependent