Dynamin: a microtubule-associated GTP-binding protein

We recently identified dynamin as a third nucleotide-sensitive microtubule-associated protein in brain tissue, in addition to kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein. Molecular cloning analysis has revealed that dynamin contains the three consensus elements characteristic of GTP-binding proteins, and biochemical results support a role for GTP in dynamin function. Dynamin is also homologous to the Mx proteins, involved in interferon-induced viral resistance, and the product of the yeast VPS1 gene, involved in vacuolar protein sorting. These results identify a novel class of GTP-utilizing proteins, with apparently diverse functions.