Predicted to enable mRNA binding activity. Involved in several processes, including microtubule cytoskeleton organization; regulation of cell cycle process; and regulation of gene expression. Located in cytoplasm. Is expressed in body wall musculature; dorsal nerve cord; germ line; gonad; and ventral nerve cord. Used to study autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in late onset Parkinson's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. Orthologous to human ATXN2 (ataxin 2) and ATXN2L (ataxin 2 like).
WB Description
atx-2 is required for early embryonic patterning; it encodes an ortholog of human ataxin-2.