Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/dctn1/

DCTN1 gene

dynactin subunit 1

Normal Function

The DCTN1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called dynactin-1. At least two different versions of this protein are produced in cells. The two versions differ in size; the larger version is called p150-glued, and the smaller version is called p135.

Both versions of the dynactin-1 protein interact with several other proteins to form a group (a complex) of proteins called dynactin. The p150-glued version of dynactin-1 is the largest component (subunit) of the dynactin complex. This complex plays a critical role in cell division and the transport of materials within cells. To carry out these roles, the complex's p150-glued subunit attaches (binds) to a protein called dynein, which acts as a motor, and also binds to a track-like system of small tubes called microtubules. The dynactin complex, dynein, and microtubules work together like a conveyer belt to move materials within cells.

Researchers believe that the dynactin complex is particularly important for the proper function of axons, which are specialized extensions of nerve cells (neurons). Axons transmit impulses from nerve to nerve and from nerves to muscles. Axons can be quite long; some are more than 3 feet in length. The dynactin complex is a critical part of a rapid transport system that supplies axons with materials to keep them healthy and functioning efficiently.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

More About This Health Condition

Perry syndrome

At least five mutations in the DCTN1 gene have been found to cause Perry syndrome. This progressive brain disease is characterized by a pattern of movement abnormalities known as parkinsonism, psychiatric changes, weight loss, and abnormally slow breathing (hypoventilation).

Most of the mutations that cause Perry syndrome change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the dynactin-1 protein. These genetic changes impair the ability of the p150-glued version of dynactin-1 to bind to the dynactin complex and to microtubules. An incomplete dynactin complex has a reduced ability to transport materials within cells. Slow or abnormal transport of materials needed for the normal function of neurons causes these cells to malfunction and ultimately die. A gradual loss of neurons in areas of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, and breathing underlies the signs and symptoms of Perry syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Researchers have identified at least one DCTN1 gene mutation that causes a nervous system disorder called distal hereditary motor neuronopathy type VIIB. Signs and symptoms of this disorder first appear in early adulthood and include breathing difficulties and progressive weakness of muscles in the face and hands. Muscle weakness in the feet and legs develops later. The mutation that causes this disorder changes one of the amino acids used to make dynactin-1. Specifically, it replaces the amino acid glycine with the amino acid serine at protein position 59 (written as Gly59Ser or G59S). It is unclear how this mutation causes distal hereditary motor neuronopathy type VIIB. The altered protein may result in an abnormal dynactin complex and disturb interactions between the complex and microtubules, which would disrupt transport activities and impair the function of axons in neurons.

At least one DCTN1 gene mutation is associated with a brain disorder called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) without the features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This disorder occurs in mid- to late adulthood and is characterized by changes in personality and behavior that may make it difficult for affected individuals to interact with others in a socially appropriate manner. Changes in speech and language can also occur, such as problems using the correct word and difficulty with language comprehension. The DCTN1 gene mutation associated with this disorder replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid lysine at protein position 1101 (written as Arg1101Lys or R1101K). It is unclear how this mutation causes FTD. This mutation likely alters the 3-dimensional shape of dynactin-1, which may impair its binding with the dynactin complex and microtubules. This impaired binding may slow the transport of materials needed for the proper function of axons and the efficient transmission of nerve impulses.

Other Names for This Gene

  • 150 kDa dynein-associated polypeptide
  • DAP-150
  • DP-150
  • DYNA_HUMAN
  • dynactin 1
  • dynactin 1 (p150, glued homolog, Drosophila)

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Farrer MJ, Hulihan MM, Kachergus JM, Dachsel JC, Stoessl AJ, Grantier LL, Calne S, Calne DB, Lechevalier B, Chapon F, Tsuboi Y, Yamada T, Gutmann L, Elibol B, Bhatia KP, Wider C, Vilarino-Guell C, Ross OA, Brown LA, Castanedes-Casey M, Dickson DW, Wszolek ZK. DCTN1 mutations in Perry syndrome. Nat Genet. 2009 Feb;41(2):163-5. doi: 10.1038/ng.293. Epub 2009 Jan 11. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Levy JR, Sumner CJ, Caviston JP, Tokito MK, Ranganathan S, Ligon LA, Wallace KE, LaMonte BH, Harmison GG, Puls I, Fischbeck KH, Holzbaur EL. A motor neuron disease-associated mutation in p150Glued perturbs dynactin function and induces protein aggregation. J Cell Biol. 2006 Feb 27;172(5):733-45. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200511068. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Munch C, Rosenbohm A, Sperfeld AD, Uttner I, Reske S, Krause BJ, Sedlmeier R, Meyer T, Hanemann CO, Stumm G, Ludolph AC. Heterozygous R1101K mutation of the DCTN1 gene in a family with ALS and FTD. Ann Neurol. 2005 Nov;58(5):777-80. doi: 10.1002/ana.20631. Citation on PubMed
  • Munch C, Sedlmeier R, Meyer T, Homberg V, Sperfeld AD, Kurt A, Prudlo J, Peraus G, Hanemann CO, Stumm G, Ludolph AC. Point mutations of the p150 subunit of dynactin (DCTN1) gene in ALS. Neurology. 2004 Aug 24;63(4):724-6. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000134608.83927.b1. Citation on PubMed
  • Puls I, Jonnakuty C, LaMonte BH, Holzbaur EL, Tokito M, Mann E, Floeter MK, Bidus K, Drayna D, Oh SJ, Brown RH Jr, Ludlow CL, Fischbeck KH. Mutant dynactin in motor neuron disease. Nat Genet. 2003 Apr;33(4):455-6. doi: 10.1038/ng1123. Epub 2003 Mar 10. Citation on PubMed
  • Puls I, Oh SJ, Sumner CJ, Wallace KE, Floeter MK, Mann EA, Kennedy WR, Wendelschafer-Crabb G, Vortmeyer A, Powers R, Finnegan K, Holzbaur EL, Fischbeck KH, Ludlow CL. Distal spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy caused by dynactin mutation. Ann Neurol. 2005 May;57(5):687-94. doi: 10.1002/ana.20468. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Schroer TA. Dynactin. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2004;20:759-79. doi: 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.20.012103.094623. Citation on PubMed
  • Vilarino-Guell C, Wider C, Soto-Ortolaza AI, Cobb SA, Kachergus JM, Keeling BH, Dachsel JC, Hulihan MM, Dickson DW, Wszolek ZK, Uitti RJ, Graff-Radford NR, Boeve BF, Josephs KA, Miller B, Boylan KB, Gwinn K, Adler CH, Aasly JO, Hentati F, Destee A, Krygowska-Wajs A, Chartier-Harlin MC, Ross OA, Rademakers R, Farrer MJ. Characterization of DCTN1 genetic variability in neurodegeneration. Neurology. 2009 Jun 9;72(23):2024-8. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181a92c4c. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Wider C, Dachsel JC, Farrer MJ, Dickson DW, Tsuboi Y, Wszolek ZK. Elucidating the genetics and pathology of Perry syndrome. J Neurol Sci. 2010 Feb 15;289(1-2):149-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.08.044. Epub 2009 Sep 4. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.