Myosin XVI (MYO16)

Myosin XVI (MYO16) is an unconventional, neuronally expressed myosin that binds actin filaments and plays a specific role in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics particularly in dendritic spines of neurons[1][2]. It contains an N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain that interacts with protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunits, a myosin motor domain (likely with impaired ATPase activity), and a tail region that interacts with both phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), thereby functioning as an adaptor linking signaling complexes that control actin polymerization[1]. MYO16 is critical for normal presynaptic organization in the cerebellum and may regulate neuronal morphogenesis by activating PI3K and recruiting the WAVE1 complex[1][2]. Genetic variants are linked with risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, and upregulation of MYO16 has been observed in the frontal cortex of schizophrenia patients[2]. This protein does not serve as a typical receptor, enzyme, or known direct therapeutic target, and no interacting drugs or disease biomarkers are established at this time[2][3].

Other names

Unconventional myosin-16KIAA0865MYO16BNYAP3MYR8Myo16bPPP1R107neuronal tyrosine-phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase adapter 3neuronal tyrosine-phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase adaptor 3protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 107