Kappain

Kappain is a small protein found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Its primary known function is as a component of the dynactin complex, a multi-subunit protein that is essential for the function of cytoplasmic dynein. Dynein is a motor protein responsible for moving cargo along microtubules within the cell, a process crucial for various cellular activities such as organelle transport, chromosome segregation during cell division, and the formation of cilia and flagella. Kappain plays a role in the structural integrity and assembly of the dynactin complex, thereby indirectly influencing dynein's motor activity. Research has indicated that kappain interacts with other dynactin subunits, contributing to the overall stability and function of this large protein assembly. While its role within the dynactin complex is well-established, ongoing research continues to explore potential additional functions or regulatory roles of kappain in cellular processes beyond its established involvement with dynein. Its presence is conserved across a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, highlighting its fundamental importance in cellular mechanics.