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FB2025_05
,
released December 11, 2025
α-tubulin, tubulin, α1-tubulin, α tubulin, α-Tub
Please see the JBrowse view of Dmel\αTub84B for information on other features
To submit a correction to a gene model please use the Contact FlyBase form
AlphaFold produces a per-residue confidence score (pLDDT) between 0 and 100. Some regions with low pLDDT may be unstructured in isolation.
Low-frequency RNA-Seq exon junction(s) not annotated.
Gene model reviewed during 5.46
1.75 (unknown)
2.250 (sequence analysis)
2.0 (northern blot)
1.3 (unknown)
1.8 (northern blot)
There is only one protein coding transcript and one polypeptide associated with this gene
Dimer of alpha and beta chains. A typical microtubule is a hollow water-filled tube with an outer diameter of 25 nm and an inner diameter of 15 nM. Alpha-beta heterodimers associate head-to-tail to form protofilaments running lengthwise along the microtubule wall with the beta-tubulin subunit facing the microtubule plus end conferring a structural polarity. Microtubules usually have 13 protofilaments but different protofilament numbers can be found in some organisms and specialized cells. Interacts with Ote (PubMed:22751930).
Undergoes a tyrosination/detyrosination cycle, the cyclic removal and re-addition of a C-terminal tyrosine residue by the enzymes tubulin tyrosine carboxypeptidase (TTCP) and tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL), respectively.
Acetylation of alpha chains at Lys-40 stabilizes microtubules and affects affinity and processivity of microtubule motors. This modification has a role in multiple cellular functions, ranging from cell motility, cell cycle progression or cell differentiation to intracellular trafficking and signaling (By similarity). During the early stages of oogenesis lky/Alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 2 is the main acetyltransferase responsible for Lys-40 acetylation in germline cells while Atat/alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 is the main acetyltransferase responsible for Lys-40 acetylation in somatic cells (PubMed:36342916).
Click to get a list of regulatory features (enhancers, TFBS, etc.) and gene disruptions (point mutations, indels, etc.) within or overlapping Dmel\αTub84B using the Feature Mapper tool.
The testis specificity index was calculated from modENCODE tissue expression data by Vedelek et al., 2018 to indicate the degree of testis enrichment compared to other tissues. Scores range from -2.52 (underrepresented) to 5.2 (very high testis bias).
Comment: reference states 0-12 hr AEL
Comment: reference states 0-21 hr AEL
αTub84B transcript is detected in all developmental stages.
The αTub84Btranscript is expressed at all stages of development, with highest levelsdetected betweeen 0 and 6 hours of embryonic development, and high levelsbetween 9 and 18 hours of embryonic development and the first and second larvalinstars.
Expression ofαTub84B is abundant throughout development, with the highest concentrationof transcript expressed at 6-9 hours of embryonic development.
Comment: reference states 0-2 hr AEL
Comment: reference states 9-13 hr AEL
Comment: reference states 16-20 hr AEL
localization of acetylated or glutamylated tubulin detected; found only in stabilized microtubules.
To compare synthesis and accumulation of α-tubulin proteins, 35S</up>methionine radiolabeled tissues were subjected to Western analysis using monoclonal anti-α-tubulin antibody. The predominant α-tubulin protein in all tissues and stages examined is αTub84B protein. The protein did not accumulate in the adult head.
JBrowse - Visual display of RNA-Seq signals
View Dmel\αTub84B in JBrowse3-48
3-44.2
3-47.7
3-47.7 +/- 0.1
Mapping based on seven recombinants.
Please Note FlyBase no longer curates genomic clone accessions so this list may not be complete
Please Note This section lists cDNAs and ESTs that fall within the genomic extent of the gene model, which may include cDNAs and ESTs of genes within introns, or of overlapping genes. Please see JBrowse for alignment of the cDNAs and ESTs to the gene model.
For each fully sequenced cDNA the DGRC maintains various forms of the cDNA (e.g tagged or untagged) in several different host vectors for subsequent cloning and expression in Drosophila and Drosophila cell lines.
polyclonal
New stable cell line derived from S2-Mt-GFP-alphaTub84B : S2 cells stably expressing GFP-alphaTub84B and CID-mCherry (FBrf0215707) were obtained from the laboratory or R. Vale.
New stable cell line derived from S2-Mt-GFP-alphaTub84B : S2 cells stably transformed with plasmid expressing GFP-alphaTub84B fusion from a Mt promoter, with hygromycin resistance marker.
New stable cell line derived from S2-Mt-GFP-Act5C : S2 cells stably transformed with plasmid expressing GFP-alphaTub84B fusion from a Mt promoter, with hygromycin resistance marker.
New stable cell line derived from S2-act-GFP-alphaTub84B : A stable S2 cell line expressing both GFP-alphaTub84B and inducible CID-mCherry was generated.
New stable cell line derived from S2-act-GFP-alphaTub84B : S2 cell lines stably expressing both GFP-alphaTub84B and inducible CID-mCherry (FBrf0215707) were used.
New stable cell line derived from S2-unspecified : An S2 cell line stably coexpressing mTor-mCherry and GFP-alphaTub84B was generated. S2 cells stably coexpressing GFP-alphaTub84B and mRFP-mad2 were used. GFP-alphaTub84B was obtained from the laboratory of R. Vale.
New stable cell line derived from S2-unspecified : A stable S2 cell lines expressing both GFP-alphaTub84B and inducible CID-mCherry was generated.
New stable cell line derived from S2-unspecified : S2 cells expressing GFP-tagged alphaTub84B were obtained from the Sharp laboratory (Albert Einstein).
New stable cell line derived from S2-unspecified : S2 cells stably expressing GFP-alphaTub84B were used.
New stable cell line derived from S2-unspecified : Stable S2 cell lines were created expressing GFP-tagged DCTN1-p150 or GFP-tagged alphaTub84B.
RNAi screen using dsRNA made from templates generated with primers directed against this gene in S2 cell results in dim staining of microtubules, and a short monopolar spindle. This phenotype can be observed when the screen is performed with or without Cdc27 dsRNA.
RNAi generated by PCR using primers directed to this gene causes a cell growth and viability phenotype when assayed in Kc167 and S2R+ cells.
RNAi screen using dsRNA made from templates generated with primers directed against this gene causes a cell growth and viability phenotype when assayed in Kc167 and S2R+ cells.
In a sample of 79 genes with multiple introns, 33 showed significant heterogeneity in G+C content among introns of the same gene and significant positive correspondence between the intron and the third codon position G+C content within genes. These results are consistent with selection adding against preferred codons at the start of genes.
Though αTub84B and αTub85E are very similar in sequence they are functionally distinct. αTub85E can provide function in the male germ line of generic microtubule arrays but lacks a subset of the functional properties possessed by specific features of microtubule assembly unique to the male germ cells.
αTub84B staining is used to analyse microtubule configuration during the first division of the zygote to investigate the organisation of the first cleavage spindle and the origin of the functional centrosome.
Mixtures of ncd or Khc motor domain treated with the zero-length cross linker EDC generates covalently cross linked products of ncd or Khc with βTub56D and αTub84B. These results indicate that kinesin family motors of opposite polarity interact with both βTub56D and αTub84B and support a model in which some portion of each ncd or Khc proteins motor domain overlaps adjacent βTub56D and αTub84B subunits.
Two upstream regions, tubulin element 1 (TE1) and tubulin element 2 (TE2), and an intron activate expression of αTub84B. These regions act ubiquitously to insulate from position effects and to activate transcription.
Total α-tubulin levels remain high throughout embryogenesis. Constitutive isotypes are more stable than maternal isotypes in most tissues.
Apical localization of pair-rule transcripts restricts lateral protein diffusion allowing pair-rule proteins to define sharp boundaries and precise spatial domains.
An allele of αTub84B has been identified due to second site non-complementation of alleles (including a null allele) of βTub85D, though a deletion for αTub84B complements βTub85Dn. The genetic interaction between βTub85D and αTub84B is based on the structural interaction between the protein products of each gene.
The expression of βTub60D is accompanied by a coordinate transient increase in the level of synthesis of the embryonic α-tubulins, thereby maintaining an approximately equimolar synthesis of α- and β-tubulins throughout embryogenesis.
In D.melanogaster, two multigene families, each made up of four members, code for α- and β-tubulins. Tubulins are a highly conserved family of proteins that are the main structural components of microtubules in mitotic and meiotic spindles, cilia, flagella, neural processes and the cytoskeleton; nontubulin proteins (MAPS or microtubule-associated proteins) are involved along with tubulins in the formation of specialized microtubules (FBrf0045282; FBrf0046966). Transcribed in the oocyte and the embryo, reaching a maximum level 6-9 hr after the egg is laid (FBrf0037623). A variety of post-translational modifications of αTub84B protein found in all tissues, some of which are tissue-specific (FBrf0049502). The gene appears to be constitutively expressed, its functions being common to most cells. Maternal-effect as well as zygotic lethality is shown by the more severe alleles. In the less severe hypomorphic alleles, heterozygotes die late in pupal life or early in adult life, the adults showing head, thoracic, or abdominal defects, bristle abnormalities, leg tremors and sterility (FBrf0046004). Both meiosis and cleavage stage mitoses are severely affected by mutations that result in a substantial decrease in the αTub67C/αTub84B+αTub84D ratio, though an increase has little effect on meiosis while still disrupting mitotic spindle formation (FBrf0058107). Missense mutations may be male sterile when doubly heterozygous with missense allele of βTub85D (FBrf0050548).
Source for merge of: αTub84B BEST:LD32507
l(3)03076 may correspond to αTub84B: the P{PZ}l(3)0307603076 insertion maps within the transcription unit.
Source for identity of: αTub84B CG1913
