Centrosome Marker
Gamma tubulin, a member of the tubulin superfamily, is a ubiquitous and highly conserved protein within the microtubule organizing centre (MTOC). Gamma tubulin is not a component of microtubules, rather it functions as the microtubule nucleator at the MOTC, is responsible for binding microtubule minus ends and mediating the link between microtubles and the centrosome. By binding to the beta tubulin subunit of the tubulin molecule, it establishes the polarity of a microtubule leaving the alpha tubulin subunit exposed at the positive end.
The abundance of Gamma tubulin is less than 1% of the level of either alpha or beta tubulin. It shares approximately 28-32% identity with alpha tubulin from various organisms and 32-36% identity with beta tubulins. The detection, localization and characterization of proteins involved in microtubule function is fundamental to the understanding of mitosis, meiosis and the microtubule cytoskeleton.