ATCAY kinesin light chain interacting caytaxin (ATCAY)

ATCAY kinesin light chain interacting caytaxin (commonly called **Caytaxin**, encoded by the *ATCAY* gene) is a highly conserved, neuron-restricted protein containing a BNIP-2/Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain and a CRAL-TRIO motif, both typical of regulatory/adaptor proteins in neurons. Caytaxin plays a critical role in the development and function of the nervous system, especially in the postnatal maturation of the cerebellar cortex, and is predominantly expressed in the brain. Its biological role includes mediating intracellular transport by binding directly to kinesin light chain proteins, influencing axonal and mitochondrial localization as well as neurotransmitter production by regulating neuronal glutaminase. Mutations in the ATCAY gene cause autosomal recessive *cerebellar ataxia, Cayman type*, and similar ataxic phenotypes in animal models, underscoring its essential neurological function. ATCAY/Caytaxin is not a classical drug target (such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter) but may be relevant in research on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. **Key Context and Details:** - Not typically targeted pharmacologically; no known interacting drugs or biomarker use in clinical settings. - Interacts with kinesin light chain for axonal transport and with proteins such as Pin1 and kidney-type glutaminase (KGA). - Mutations can result in severe ataxia and motor coordination deficits, but overexpression is not known to cause adverse effects outside the nervous system. - Although molecular functions and interacting pathways are partially characterized, therapeutic targeting of ATCAY is not currently described.

Other names

CaytaxinKIAA1872BNIP-HAtaxia cayman type proteinBNIP-2-homologyCayman ataxiaataxia cerebellar Cayman typeCLAC