The NDE1 gene encodes a member of the nuclear distribution E (NudE) family of proteins. The protein presents at the centrosome and interacts with other centrosome components. This interaction is part of a multiprotein complex that regulates dynein function. The NDE1 protein plays a vital role in microtubule organization, mitosis and neuronal migration. Mutations in this gene cause Lissencephaly 4.
The NDE1 gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 16, where it spans a length of about 83 Kb. The gene consists of nine exons, of which the last exon is entirely contained within the MYH11 gene. The NDE1 protein is made up of 346 amino acids. Multiple isoforms exist for the protein, with a highly conserved N-terminus and more varied C-terminal regions. The protein is capable of forming a tightly associating coiled-coil protein that facilitates both parallel dimerization and anti-parallel tetramerization.
