Tubulin-specific chaperone E is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TBCE gene. Cofactor E is one of four proteins (cofactors A, D, E, and C) involved in the pathway leading to correctly folded beta-tubulin from folding intermediates. Cofactors A and D are believed to play a role in capturing and stabilizing beta-tubulin intermediates in a quasi-native confirmation. Cofactor E binds to the cofactor D/beta-tubulin complex; interaction with cofactor C then causes the release of beta-tubulin polypeptides that are committed to the native state. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq].
Tubulin-folding protein; involved in the second step of the tubulin folding pathway. Seems to be implicated in the maintenance of the neuronal microtubule network. Involved in regulation of tubulin heterodimer dissociation.