Tubulin alpha-3D chain (TUBA3D)

Tubulin alpha-3D chain (TUBA3D) is a protein encoded by the TUBA3D gene and is a member of the alpha-tubulin family, acting as a major component of microtubules, which are vital cytoskeletal elements in eukaryotic cells. Microtubules—composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers—maintain cellular structure, enable intracellular transport, and mediate critical processes such as mitotic spindle formation during cell division. TUBA3D is highly expressed in the human cornea, and loss-of-function mutations are associated with the degenerative eye disease keratoconus, likely through disruption of extracellular matrix stability and aberrant matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. While many chemotherapeutic drugs target tubulin (mostly via beta-tubulin), disruption of the alpha-3D isoform could influence similar cytoskeletal dynamics. Like other tubulins, TUBA3D features a GTP-binding domain and is subject to various posttranslational modifications[1][2][3][4][5]. If you need more specific information on drug binding to the TUBA3D isoform directly, this is currently limited; most approved drugs (such as taxanes) interact mainly with β-tubulin in the heterodimer, but because microtubules require both α- and β-tubulin, TUBA3D is functionally implicated[2][4].

Other names

Tubulin alpha-3D chainDetyrosinated tubulin alpha-3D chainH2-ALPHAAlpha-tubulin 3Dalpha-tubulin isotype H2-alphaKTCN9TUBA2tubulin alpha-2 chainTubulin alpha-3C chainAlpha-tubulin 3Ctubulin alpha-3C/D chain

Microtubule stabilization or destabilization (drugs like paclitaxel stabilize microtubules by binding β-tubulin, affecting α/β-tubulin dimers), Mitotic arrest (by impairing proper spindle formation)