| Modification Notes |
NEDD1 (neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 1), also known as GCP-WD, is a homolog of the Drosophila protein known as Dgp71WD. It is a ubiquitously expressed, evolutionarily conserved protein and contains eight WD40 repeats and a coiled coil domain at the C-terminus. NEDD1 is a subunit of the ©-tubulin ring complex (©TuRC) and plays an important role in mitosis. During mitosis NEDD1 is phosphorylated and functions in forming the association of ©-tubulin with the spindle. The state of phosphorylation of NEDD1 is also important for determining its cellular localization. NEDD1 is responsible for targeting ©TuRC to the centrosome and spindle and is therefore required for centrosomal and chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation. The inhibition of NEDD1 results in the loss of ©TuRC from the centrosome and a sequential loss of microtubule nucleation. Due to its critical role in mitosis, NEDD1 may be a potential target for anticancer therapies. |