Tubulin alpha-4B chain (TUBA4B)

Tubulin alpha-4B chain (TUBA4B) is a member of the alpha-tubulin family of cytoskeletal proteins that, together with beta-tubulin, polymerizes to form microtubules—the key structural components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton[1][2][3][4]. Microtubules are essential for a wide range of cellular functions, including cell division (mitosis), intracellular transport, and maintenance of cell shape. Tubulin binds GTP, and its polymerization exhibits dynamic instability crucial for chromosome movement and segregation during cell division[2][4]. TUBA4B has been studied as both a protein-coding gene and—as "TUBA4B"—in the context of its long non-coding RNA, which acts as a tumor suppressor in certain cancers, especially non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer[1]. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel) and epothilones act on tubulin to disrupt microtubule dynamics, and TUBA4B expression is being evaluated as a potential prognostic biomarker in oncology[1][2][4]. Targeting tubulin proteins presents therapeutic challenges, notably neurotoxicity and toxicity to rapidly dividing normal cells[4].

Other names

Tubulin-like protein alpha-4BTUBA4FLJ13940Alpha-tubulin 4BPutative tubulin-like protein alpha-4BTubulin, alpha 4b (pseudogene)

Microtubule stabilization (taxanes, epothilones) Inhibition of microtubule dynamics Block of mitosis/cell cycle arrest