Capping protein-inhibiting regulator of actin dynamics (CRACD)

The capping protein-inhibiting regulator of actin dynamics (CRACD, also known as CRAD or KIAA1211) is a protein-coding gene found on chromosome 4 in humans[4][3]. It plays a key role in maintaining epithelial cell integrity by regulating the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton[3][5][8][9]. Specifically, CRACD positively regulates actin polymerization, functioning by inhibiting the interaction of actin-capping proteins with actin filament barbed ends—thus allowing continued elongation of actin filaments[3][5][9]. CRACD is highly expressed in the brain (notably the cerebral cortex) and in various other tissues such as breast, pancreas, kidney, and testis[1][6]. The protein contains the conserved DUF4592 domain, features several phosphorylation and SUMOylation sites, and is mainly localized in the cytosol and nucleus, with additional localization to microtubules and centrosome[1][3]. Clinically, CRACD/CRAD/KIAA1211 has been implicated in several cancers as well as neuropsychiatric disorders[1][3]. Its biological role involves interacting with other proteins such as Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK3B), alpha-synuclein (SNCA), MDM2, PAK1, and Cdt1[1]. While recent research highlights its relevance to disease biology, no approved drugs currently target CRACD directly, nor is it established as a therapeutic biomarker or drug target in clinical practice according to available search results[1][3][5].

Other names

CRADKIAA1211Cancer-related regulator of actin dynamicsENSG00000109265