Phosphatase And Actin Regulator 3 (PHACTR3)

PHACTR3is an enzyme associated with the nuclear scaffold in proliferating cells. It was found to bind to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-1and inhibit PP1 activity, suggesting that this protein may function as a regulatory subunit of PP1. Alternative splicing at this locus results in several transcript variants encoding different isoforms.By searching databases for sequences similar to rat Phactr1, Allen et al.identified a family of 4 PHACTR genes in mouse and human, including PHACTR3. The PHACTR proteins share highest similarity in sequences surrounding the N-and C-terminal RPEL repeats and in the C-terminal actin- and protein phosphatase-1-binding domains. In situ hybridization of rat brain showed diffuse Phactr3 expression, with higher abundance in cortex and hippocampus than in striatum and thalamus.