Centrin-2 (CETN2)

Centrin-2 (CETN2) is an evolutionarily conserved, calmodulin-related EF-hand domain calcium-binding protein that functions primarily as a structural component of the centrosome. It is crucial for centriole duplication and spindle pole organization during cell division, and participates in nucleotide excision DNA repair as a component of the XPC complex. Loss or depletion of CETN2 disrupts centrosome duplication and proper mitosis, leading to genomic instability; it also impairs DNA damage recognition and repair, increasing susceptibility to conditions such as xeroderma pigmentosum. CETN2 is selectively expressed in human astrocytes where it can function as a molecular marker, and its cellular functions extend to ciliogenesis in specialized sensory cells. No approved drugs, known small-molecule antagonists, or antibodies directly target centrin-2. While disease associations exist, it is not considered a classic therapeutic target (e.g., receptor, enzyme). Thus CETN2 serves mainly as a cellular marker and as a subject for basic research into centrosome biology and DNA repair.

Other names

Centrin-2CETN2CALTCEN2Caltractin isoform 1centrinEF-hand protein 2caltractin (20kD calcium-binding protein)

Not applicable; no drugs target centrin-2 directly