FUNCTION: Required for organization of the cellular microtubule array and microtubule anchoring at the centrosome. May regulate microtubule organization at least in part by targeting the microtubule severing protein KATNA1 to the centrosome. Also positively regulates the activity of the minus-end directed microtubule motor protein dynein. May enhance dynein-mediated microtubule sliding by targeting dynein to the microtubule plus ends. Required for several dynein- and microtubule-dependent processes such as the maintenance of Golgi integrity, the centripetal motion of secretory vesicles and the coupling of the nucleus and centrosome. Also required during brain development for the migration of newly formed neurons from the ventricular/subventricular zone toward the cortical plate. Appears to be dispensible for mitosis in cortical neuronal progenitors, which instead requires NDE1. Facilitates the polymerization of neurofilaments from the individual subunits NEFH and NEFL (By similarity).
SUBUNIT: Self-associates. Interacts with DISC1, dynactin, tubulin gamma, KATNA1, KATNB1, microtubules, PCM1, PCNT, and YWHAE. Interacts directly with NEFL and indirectly with NEFH (By similarity). Interacts with dynein and PAFAH1B1.
SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton. Centrosome. Spindle. Note=Localizes to the mitotic spindle and to the to the microtubules of the manchette in elongated spermatids (By similarity). Localizes to the interphase centrosome. Localizes to the cell body of the motor neurons and colocalizes with assembled neurofilaments within axonal processes.
PTM: Phosphorylated in mitosis. Can be phosphorylated by CDC2, CDK5 and MAPK1. Phosphorylation by CDK5 promotes interaction with KATNA1 and YWHAE (By similarity).
SIMILARITY: Belongs to the nudE family.
CAUTION: Was originally (Uniprot Ref.4) thought to function as an oligopeptidase (NUDEL-oligopeptidase or endooligopeptidase A) which could regulate peptide levels relevant to brain function.