Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
Published on: December 28, 2016
Multifaceted roles of Furry proteins in invertebrates and vertebrates
Tomoaki Nagai1, Kensaku Mizuno
1Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan.
Abstract:
Furry (Fry) is a large protein that is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human. Fry and its orthologues in invertebrates (termed Tao3p in budding yeast, Mor2p in fission yeast, Sax-2 in nematode and Fry in fruit fly) genetically and physically interact with nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR) kinases (termed Cbk1p in budding yeast, Orb6p in fission yeast, Sax-1 in nematode and Trc in fruitfly), and function as activators or scaffolds of these kinases. Fry-NDR kinase signals are implicated in the control of polarized cell growth and morphogenesis in yeast, neurite outgrowth in nematode, and epidermal morphogenesis and dendritic tiling in fruit fly. Recent studies revealed that mammalian Fry is a microtubule-associated protein that is involved in the control of chromosome alignment, spindle organization and Polo-like kinase-1 activation in mitosis, and promotes microtubule acetylation in mitotic spindles via inhibiting the tubulin deacetylase Sirtuin 2. Here, we review current knowledge about the diverse cellular functions and regulation of Fry proteins in invertebrates and vertebrates.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order...
Fibrous Proteins
Globular and Fibrous Proteins
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Role of Proteins in the Human Body
Cytoskeletal Accessory Proteins
Structural Protein Function
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...

