Background of the antigen
Microtubules, the primary component of the cytoskeletal network, are highly dynamic structures composed of Alpha/Beta Tubulin heterodimers. Biosynthesis of functional microtubules involve the participation of several chaperones, termed Tubulin folding cofactors A (TBCA), D (TBCD), E (TBCE) and C (TBCC), that act on folding intermediates downstream of the cytosolic chaperon, alternatively named TCP. TBCE (tubulin folding cofactor E), also known as HRD, KCS, KCS1 or pac2, is a 527 amino acid cytoplasmic protein containing one CAP-Gly domain and seven LRR (leucine-rich) repeats. TBCE is involved in the second step of the Tubulin folding pathway and is implicated in the maintenance of the neuronal microtubule network. TBCE associates with microtubules and proteasomes, and protects against misfolded protein stress. Mutations in the gene encoding TBCE are the cause of hypoparathyroidism-retardation-dysmorphism syndrome and Kenny-Caffey syndrome type 1.
