ALPA — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPCC736.14, also known as ALPA, dis1, or STU2 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h- on chromosome 3, encodes a member of the XMAP215/TOG domain protein family. The product possesses microtubule destabilizing activity, microtubule plus-end polymerase activity, and binds microtubules, particularly at plus ends. ALPA is associated with numerous mitotic and meiotic processes, including spindle localization and breakdown, chromosome movement and separation, centromere separation and localization, microtubule nucleation, bundling, and dynamics. Phenotypic associations link the gene to altered cell cycle timing, premature meiosis, delayed growth, increased fermentative growth, decreased lifespan, and abnormal chromosome segregation and nuclear fusion. The protein localizes to the mitotic spindle pole, spindle microtubules, kinetochore, and cytoplasmic microtubule plus-ends.