Tubulin Gamma Complex Associated protein 2 (TUBgCP2)

The role of the centrosomes in microtubule nucleation remains largely unknown at the molecular level. gamma-Tubulin and the two associated proteins h103p (hGCP2) and h104p (hGCP3) are essential. These proteins are also present in soluble complexes containing additional polypeptides.

Partial sequencing of a 76- kD polypeptide band from these complexes allowed the isolation of a cDNA encoding for a new protein expressed ubiquitously in mammalian tissues. Orthologues of h76p have been characterized in Drosophila and in the higher plant Medicago. Hence, human gamma-tubulin appears associated with at least three evolutionary related centrosomal proteins, raising new questions about their functions at the molecular level.