PCNT
Encyclopedia
Pericentrin, also known as PCNT, is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the PCNT gene
.
and is expressed in the centrosome
. It is an integral component of the pericentriolar material
(PCM). The protein contains a series of coiled coil
domains
and a highly conserved PCM targeting motif called the PACT domain near its C-terminus. The protein interacts with the microtubule
nucleation component γ-tubulin and is likely important to normal functioning of the centrosomes, cytoskeleton
, and cell cycle
progression.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the PCNT gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene binds to calmodulinCalmodulin
Calmodulin is a calcium-binding protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells...
and is expressed in the centrosome
Centrosome
In cell biology, the centrosome is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center of the animal cell as well as a regulator of cell-cycle progression. It was discovered by Edouard Van Beneden in 1883...
. It is an integral component of the pericentriolar material
Pericentriolar material
Pericentriolar material is an amorphous mass of protein which makes up the part of the centrosome that surrounds the two centrioles. The PCM contains proteins responsible for microtubule nucleation and anchoring including γ-tubulin, pericentrin and ninein....
(PCM). The protein contains a series of coiled coil
Coiled coil
A coiled coil is a structural motif in proteins, in which 2-7 alpha-helices are coiled together like the strands of a rope . Many coiled coil type proteins are involved in important biological functions such as the regulation of gene expression e.g. transcription factors...
domains
Protein domain
A protein domain is a part of protein sequence and structure that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. Each domain forms a compact three-dimensional structure and often can be independently stable and folded. Many proteins consist of several structural...
and a highly conserved PCM targeting motif called the PACT domain near its C-terminus. The protein interacts with the microtubule
Microtubule
Microtubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...
nucleation component γ-tubulin and is likely important to normal functioning of the centrosomes, cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" contained within a cell's cytoplasm and is made out of protein. The cytoskeleton is present in all cells; it was once thought to be unique to eukaryotes, but recent research has identified the prokaryotic cytoskeleton...
, and cell cycle
Cell cycle
The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that takes place in a cell leading to its division and duplication . In cells without a nucleus , the cell cycle occurs via a process termed binary fission...
progression.