Tubulin-folding cofactor A (TBCA)

Tubulin-folding cofactor A (TBCA) is a cytosolic protein chaperone that captures and stabilizes β-tubulin intermediates during folding, directly influencing the formation of functional α/β-tubulin heterodimers necessary for microtubule construction. TBCA is an essential component for microtubule dynamics, cell structure maintenance, and cell cycle progression. Experimental downregulation of TBCA leads to microtubule disorganization, reduced tubulin pools, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. TBCA dysregulation has been implicated in cancer metastasis and may have roles in metabolic diseases such as obesity.

Other names

Tubulin-specific chaperone ACFATCP1-chaperonin cofactor AEpididymis secretory sperm binding proteinChaperonin cofactor ATubulin-folding cofactor ATBCA

For future TBCA-targeting therapeutics, mechanisms would likely include inhibition of β-tubulin folding, disruption of microtubule assembly, induction of cell cycle arrest, and modulation of cytoskeletal structure. No currently approved drugs directly target TBCA.