Enables microtubule binding activity and microtubule severing ATPase activity. Involved in several processes, including regulation of microtubule depolymerization; regulation of nervous system development; and regulation of neuromuscular synaptic transmission. Located in several cellular components, including centrosome; neuromuscular junction; and terminal bouton. Colocalizes with synaptic vesicle. Is expressed in several structures, including anterior midgut primordium; cephalic furrow; embryonic neuromere; embryonic/larval head sense organ; and ganglia. Used to study hereditary spastic paraplegia and hereditary spastic paraplegia 4. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in hereditary spastic paraplegia 4. Orthologous to human SPAST (spastin).
FB Description
spastin (spas) encodes a member of the AAA ATPase family that assembles into hexamers and severs microtubules along their lengths. The microtubule binding and severing activities of the product of spas are dependent upon tubulin glutamylation levels. Its proposed roles include mitosis, axon transport, synapse formation, dendrite arborization, organelle tubulation, and lipid droplet metabolism.