EML1

Human echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like is a strong candidate for the Usher syndrome type 1A gene. Usher syndromes (USHs) are a group of genetic disorders consisting of congenital deafness, retinitis pigmentosa, and vestibular dysfunction of variable onset and severity depending on the genetic type. The disease process in USHs involves the entire brain and is not limited to the posterior fossa or auditory and visual systems. The USHs are catagorized as type I (USH1A, USH1B, USH1C, USH1D, USH1E and USH1F), type II (USH2A and USH2B) and type III (USH3). The type I is the most severe form. Gene loci responsible for these three types are all mapped. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

Echinoderm Microtubule Associated Protein Like 1

Research Area

Modulates the assembly and organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and probably plays a role in regulating the orientation of the mitotic spindle and the orientation of the plane of cell division. Required for normal proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells in the developing brain and for normal brain development. Does not affect neuron migration per se.

Biological Process

Brain development Source: UniProtKB
Hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation Source: Ensembl
Microtubule cytoskeleton organization Source: UniProtKB
Mitotic spindle organization Source: UniProtKB
Neuroblast proliferation Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoskeleton; Cytoplasm; Perinuclear region. Detected in cytoplasmic punctae. Co-localizes with microtubules (PubMed:24859200). Enriched in perinuclear regions during interphase and in the region of spindle microtubules during metaphase. Enriched at the midzone during telophase and cytokinesis. Detected at growth cones in neurons (By similarity).

Involvement in disease

Band heterotopia (BH):
A brain malformation of the lissencephaly spectrum, resulting from disordered neuronal migration and characterized by bands of gray matter interposed in the central white matter. Disease features include severe developmental delay with intellectual disability, enlarged head circumference, periventricular and ribbon-like subcortical heterotopia, polymicrogyria and agenesis of the corpus callosum.