title: EML proteins in microtubule regulation and human disease.
abstract: The EMLs are a conserved family of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The founding member was discovered in sea urchins as a 77-kDa polypeptide that co-purified with microtubules. This protein, termed EMAP for echinoderm MAP, was the major non-tubulin component present in purified microtubule preparations made from unfertilized sea urchin eggs [J. Cell Sci. (1993) 104: , 445-450; J. Cell Sci. (1987) 87: (Pt 1), 71-84]. Orthologues of EMAP were subsequently identified in other echinoderms, such as starfish and sand dollar, and then in more distant eukaryotes, including flies, worms and vertebrates, where the name of ELP or EML (both for EMAP-like protein) has been adopted [BMC Dev. Biol. (2008) 8: , 110; Dev. Genes Evol. (2000) 210: , 2-10]. The common property of these proteins is their ability to decorate microtubules. However, whether they are associated with particular microtubule populations or exercise specific functions in different microtubule-dependent processes remains unknown. Furthermore, although there is limited evidence that they regulate microtubule dynamics, the biochemical mechanisms of their molecular activity have yet to be explored. Nevertheless, interest in these proteins has grown substantially because of the identification of EML mutations in neuronal disorders and oncogenic fusions in human cancers. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of the expression, localization and structure of what is proving to be an interesting and important class of MAPs. We also speculate about their function in microtubule regulation and highlight how the studies of EMLs in human diseases may open up novel avenues for patient therapy.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, U.K.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, U.K.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Regan
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, U.K.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, U.K.
authors.forename: Rozita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adib
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Leeds Centre, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Astbury Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bayliss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins
keywords: EMAP; EML; MAP; cell cycle; microtubule; oncogenic fusion