KATNAL1 (Katanin Catalytic Subunit A1 Like 1) is a member of the katanin family of microtubule-severing enzymes, which play critical roles in regulating microtubule dynamics by cutting and disassembling microtubules. This protein shares homology with the catalytic subunit (p60) of katanin, an ATPase involved in mitosis, cilia formation, and neuronal development. KATNAL1 is implicated in diverse cellular processes, including spermatogenesis, ciliogenesis, and neuronal morphogenesis. Studies suggest its involvement in microtubule remodeling during sperm tail formation and the maintenance of ciliary structures, linking it to reproductive disorders and ciliopathies when dysregulated.
Antibodies targeting KATNAL1 are essential tools for investigating its expression, localization, and function. They are commonly used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study tissue-specific expression patterns, particularly in testis, brain, and ciliated tissues. Research utilizing these antibodies has revealed KATNAL1's dynamic association with microtubule networks and its regulatory role in cell cycle progression. Aberrant KATNAL1 expression has been explored in contexts such as male infertility, neurodevelopmental disorders, and cancer, though its precise mechanistic contributions remain under active investigation. These antibodies thus serve as critical reagents for advancing our understanding of microtubule-related cellular physiology and disease mechanisms.