Background information
Zygin 2 is a 353 amino acid cytoplasmic protein that belongs to the zygin family. Zygin 2 is found as a difulfide-linked homodimer but may for heterodimers with FEZ1. the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm by activation of PKC zeta. PKC zeta also enhances zygin 1 interaction with UFD2 and polyubiquitination. Expressed mainly in brain, zygin 1 is a mammalian ortholog of Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-76 and is able to restore partial locomotion and axonal fasciculation to C. elegans UNC-76 mutants, which suggest a functional role in axonal outgrowth. As component of the network of molecules that regulate cellular morphology and axon guidance machinery, zygin 1 may also be involved in microtubule associated transport and transcriptional regulation. Mutations in the gene encoding zygin 1 may be linked to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Zygin 1 exists as two alternatively spliced isoforms that are designated isoform long and isoform short.
