Dynein Assembly Factor 2, Axonemal (DNAAF2)

The KTU gene encodes a protein conserved in animals and ciliated unicellular organisms involved in preassembly of dynein arm complexes in species from algae to humans.

The full-length cDNA of 2,511 basepairs encodes an 837-amino acid protein; a shorter in-frame splice variant lacking exon 2 comprises 2,367 basepairs. RT-PCR analysis detected Ktu expression in medaka embryo and in nearly all organs of adult mice, with higher expression in mouse tissues with motile cilia and flagella such as brain and testis. Ktu localized to the cytoplasm but not the flagellum of sperm. In renal tubules Ktu localized to the apical cytoplasm around the gamma-tubulin-positive pericentriolar region, not in the cilia.