This gene encodes a member of the alpha tubulin family. Tubulin is a major component of microtubules, which are composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers and microtubule-associated proteins in the cytoskeleton. Microtubules maintain cellular structure, function in intracellular transport, and play a role in spindle formation during mitosis. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011]