The fidgetin family: Shaking things up among the microtubule-severing enzymes

Karishma Smart, David J. Sharp

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The microtubule cytoskeleton is required for several crucial cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, cell polarity and orientation, and intracellular transport. These functions rely on microtubule stability and dynamics, which are regulated by microtubule-binding proteins (MTBPs). One such type of regulator is the microtubule-severing enzymes (MSEs), which are ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities (AAA+ ATPases). The most recently identified family are the fidgetins, which contain three members: fidgetin, fidgetin-like 1 (FL1), and fidgetin-like 2 (FL2). Of the three known MSE families, the fidgetins have the most diverse range of functions in the cell, spanning mitosis/meiosis, development, cell migration, DNA repair, and neuronal function. Furthermore, they offer intriguing novel therapeutic targets for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and wound healing. In the two decades since their first report, there has been great progress in our understanding of the fidgetins; however, there is still much left unknown about this unusual family. This review aims to consolidate the present body of knowledge of the fidgetin family of MSEs and to inspire deeper exploration into the fidgetins and the MSEs as a whole.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)151-166
Number of pages16
JournalCytoskeleton
Volume81
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2024

Keywords

  • ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities
  • microtubules
  • review
  • tubulin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Cell Biology

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