InterPro domain: IPR029527

Centrin-1 (CETN1) belongs to the centrin family. Rodents have four centrin isoforms (CETN1-4), while human contain only three isoforms (CETN1-3) [ 1 ]. Centrins are small Ca(2+)-binding eukaryotic proteins associated with centrioles of centrosomes and centrosomal-related structures [ 2 ].

CETN1 is specifically expressed in male germ cells, certain neurons and ciliated cells [ 3 , 4 ]. It plays an important role in spermiogenesis and maturation [ 5 ]. The expression of CETN1 is up-regulated in prostate and pancreatic cancers [ 5 ].

This entry also includes ICL1 from Paramecium tetraurelia [ 6 ]. ICL1 is a component of the infraciliary lattice (ICL) and the ciliary basal bodies [ 7 ].

1. Centrin isoforms in mammals. Relation to calmodulin. Mol. Biol. Rep. 33, 243-52
2. Germline deletion of Cetn1 causes infertility in male mice. J. Cell. Sci. 126, 3204-13
3. An EF-hands protein, centrin-1, is an EGTA-sensitive SUMO-interacting protein in mouse testis. Cell Biochem. Funct. 28, 604-12
4. Calcium-dependent assembly of centrin-G-protein complex in photoreceptor cells. Mol. Cell. Biol. 22, 2194-203
5. CETN1 is a cancer testis antigen with expression in prostate and pancreatic cancers. Biomark Res 1, 22
6. Characterization of centrin genes in Paramecium. Eur. J. Biochem. 238, 121-8
7. Genetic evidence for a role of centrin-associated proteins in the organization and dynamics of the infraciliary lattice in Paramecium. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 38, 172-86