Recombinant Proteins
Product List
STMN1 Human
Stathmin-1 Human Recombinant
STMN2 Human
Stathmin Like-2 Human Recombinant
STMN3 Human
Stathmin Like-3 Human Recombinant
STMN4 Human
Stathmin Like-4 Human Recombinant
Introduction
Stathmin, also known as metablastin or oncoprotein 18, is a highly conserved 17 kDa protein encoded by the STMN1 gene in humans . It plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cytoskeleton, particularly microtubule dynamics . Stathmin is found solely in eukaryotes and is essential for various cellular processes, including cytoplasmic organization, cell division, and cell motility .
Key Biological Properties: Stathmin is a ubiquitous cytosolic phosphoprotein that integrates diverse intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and activities . It interacts with several downstream target proteins and is known for its role in microtubule dynamics by inhibiting microtubule formation and promoting their depolymerization .
Expression Patterns and Tissue Distribution: Stathmin is highly expressed in various tissues, including the brain, testis, and thymus . It is particularly abundant in neural tissues and hematopoietic stem cells . Its expression is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, with higher levels observed during mitosis .
Primary Biological Functions: Stathmin is a key regulator of the microtubule cytoskeleton, promoting microtubule depolymerization and preventing tubulin polymerization . This regulation is crucial for cell cycle progression, mitotic spindle formation, and cell differentiation .
Role in Immune Responses and Pathogen Recognition: While specific roles in immune responses and pathogen recognition are less well-documented, stathmin’s regulation of the cytoskeleton suggests it may influence immune cell motility and function .
Stathmin exerts its effects by binding to tubulin heterodimers, sequestering them, and preventing their polymerization into microtubules . This action is regulated by phosphorylation at specific serine residues, which reduces its affinity for tubulin and allows microtubule formation . Stathmin interacts with various signaling pathways and proteins, contributing to its role in cell proliferation and differentiation .
Transcriptional Regulation: Stathmin expression is regulated by various transcription factors in response to specific cell signals .
Post-Translational Modifications: Phosphorylation at four serine residues (Ser16, Ser25, Ser38, and Ser63) is a key regulatory mechanism that controls stathmin’s activity . Phosphorylation weakens stathmin-tubulin binding, allowing microtubule polymerization .
Biomedical Research: Stathmin is a valuable target in cancer research due to its role in cell proliferation and microtubule dynamics .
Diagnostic Tools: Elevated levels of stathmin have been observed in various cancers, making it a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis .
Therapeutic Strategies: Stathmin inhibitors are being explored as potential cancer therapies. These inhibitors aim to disrupt stathmin’s function, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and enhancing the efficacy of existing treatments .
Stathmin plays a critical role throughout the life cycle, from development to aging and disease . During development, it is involved in cell differentiation and tissue formation . In adulthood, stathmin continues to regulate cell division and motility, contributing to tissue homeostasis . Dysregulation of stathmin has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders .
