Rootletin also known as ciliary rootlet coiled-coil protein (CROCC) is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''CROCC''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
Rootletin is a component of the
ciliary rootlet
The cilium, plural cilia (), is a membrane-bound organelle found on most types of eukaryotic cell, and certain microorganisms known as ciliates. Cilia are absent in bacteria and archaea. The cilium has the shape of a slender threadlike projecti ...
, and, together with
CEP68
Centrosomal protein of 68 kDa is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CEP68'' gene.
CEP68 is required for centrosome cohesion. It decorates fibres emanating from the proximal ends of centrioles. During mitosis, CEP68 dissociates from centro ...
and
CEP250
Centrosome-associated protein CEP250 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CEP250'' gene.
This gene encodes a core centrosomal protein required for centriole-centriole cohesion during interphase of the cell cycle. The encoded protein di ...
, is required for centrosome cohesion.
Rootletin is an important protein in the ciliary rootlet, particular for the structure and can be considered an important protein in
mitosis
In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division by mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is mainta ...
as it is a
centrosome
In cell biology, the centrosome (Latin centrum 'center' + Greek sōma 'body') (archaically cytocentre) is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of the animal cell, as well as a regulator of cell-cycle progres ...
linker.
Function
This protein forms part of the ciliary rootlet structure. It also helps to contribute to the centrosome cohesion before mitosis.
Expression of rooletin leads to the formation of fibrous protein.
Structure
This protein is part of the structure of a ciliary rootlet. This cytoskeletal-like structure starts from the basal body at one end of the cilium and extends towards nucleus. Its molecular structure consists of a globular head domain and a tail domain made up of coiled-coil structures.
Protein interactions
A large coiled-coil protein, C-Nap1, is a docking site for the fibrous tether to proximal ends of centrioles which Rootletin physically interacts with. Furthermore, Rootletin is phosphorylated by Nek2 kinase.
References
Further reading
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