DIAPH1

This gene is a homolog of the Drosophila diaphanous gene, and has been linked to autosomal dominant, fully penetrant, nonsyndromic sensorineural progressive low-frequency hearing loss. Actin polymerization involves proteins known to interact with diaphanous protein in Drosophila and mouse. It has therefore been speculated that this gene may have a role in the regulation of actin polymerization in hair cells of the inner ear. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

diaphanous homolog 1 (Drosophila)

Function

Actin nucleation and elongation factor required for the assembly of F-actin structures, such as actin cables and stress fibers (By similarity).

Binds to the barbed end of the actin filament and slows down actin polymerization and depolymerization (By similarity).

Required for cytokinesis, and transcriptional activation of the serum response factor (By similarity).

DFR proteins couple Rho and Src tyrosine kinase during signaling and the regulation of actin dynamics (By similarity).

Functions as a scaffold protein for MAPRE1 and APC to stabilize microtubules and promote cell migration (By similarity).

Has neurite outgrowth promoting activity. Acts in a Rho-dependent manner to recruit PFY1 to the membrane (By similarity).

In hear cells, it may play a role in the regulation of actin polymerization in hair cells (PubMed:20937854, PubMed:21834987, PubMed:26912466).

The MEMO1-RHOA-DIAPH1 signaling pathway plays an important role in ERBB2-dependent stabilization of microtubules at the cell cortex (PubMed:20937854, PubMed:21834987).

It controls the localization of APC and CLASP2 to the cell membrane, via the regulation of GSK3B activity (PubMed:20937854, PubMed:21834987).

In turn, membrane-bound APC allows the localization of the MACF1 to the cell membrane, which is required for microtubule capture and stabilization (PubMed:20937854, PubMed:21834987).

Plays a role in the regulation of cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization. Required in the control of cell shape (PubMed:20937854, PubMed:21834987).

Plays a role in brain development (PubMed:24781755).

Also acts as an actin nucleation and elongation factor in the nucleus by promoting nuclear actin polymerization inside the nucleus to drive serum-dependent SRF-MRTFA activity (By similarity).

Biological Process

Actin cytoskeleton organization Source: UniProtKB
Actin filament polymerization Source: UniProtKB
Cellular response to histamine Source: BHF-UCL
Cytoskeleton organization Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of cell migration Source: Ensembl
Protein localization to microtubule Source: BHF-UCL
Regulation of cell shape Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of cytoskeleton organization Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of microtubule-based process Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol Source: BHF-UCL
Sensory perception of sound Source: ProtInc

Cellular Location

Nucleus; Cytoskeleton; Centrosome; Spindle; Cell membrane; Ruffle membrane; Cytoplasm. Membrane ruffles, especially at the tip of ruffles, of motile cells.

Involvement in disease

Deafness, autosomal dominant 1, with or without thrombocytopenia (DFNA1):
A form of non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural deafness results from damage to the neural receptors of the inner ear, the nerve pathways to the brain, or the area of the brain that receives sound information. Patients may have mild thrombocytopenia and enlarged platelets, although most of DFNA1 affected individuals do not have significant bleeding tendencies.
Seizures, cortical blindness, and microcephaly syndrome (SCBMS):
A severe autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by microcephaly, early-onset seizures, severely delayed psychomotor development, short stature, and cortical blindness.

PTM

Phosphorylation at Thr-768 is stimulated by cAMP and regulates stability, complex formation and mitochondrial movement.