CAPZ/A0418

The CAPZB gene encodes the beta subunit of the CAPZ protein, also known as A0418.

The CAPZB gene encodes the beta subunit of the CAPZ protein, also known as A0418. CAPZ was identified in chicken as an actin-binding protein composed of heterodimers, alpha and beta subunits. There are two alpha genes, the alpha-1 and alpha-2 isoforms, which share 85% identity and are the products of two separate genes. A single gene encodes beta-subunit expression. By capping the barbed end of actin filaments, CAPZ regulates the growth of the actin filament at the barbed end. Unlike other capping proteins (such as gelsolin and severin), these proteins do not sever actin filaments. There are two predominant splice isoforms of the gene; isoform 2 is the predominant isoform of non-muscle tissues and is a component of dynactin complex from brain tissue, which contains the actin-related protein ARP1. CAPZ is highly expressed throughout the brain.