Tubulin is the major constituent of microtubules, a cylinder consisting of laterally associated linear protofilaments composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers . Microtubules grow by the addition of GTP-tubulin dimers to the microtubule end, where a stabilizing cap forms . Below the cap, tubulin dimers are in GDP-bound state, owing to GTPase activity of alpha-tubulin . TUBB3 plays a critical role in proper axon guidance and maintenance . Binding of NTN1/Netrin-1 to its receptor UNC5C might cause dissociation of UNC5C from polymerized TUBB3 in microtubules and thereby lead to increased microtubule dynamics and axon repulsion . Plays a role in dorsal root ganglion axon projection towards the spinal cord .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cell projection, Growth cone, Cell projection, Lamellipodium, Cell projection, Filopodium
Expression is primarily restricted to central and peripheral nervous system. Greatly increased expression in most cancerous tissues.