Actin Related Protein 6 (ACTR6)

A member of the Arp6 subfamily in Drosophila, dArp6, is localized on centric heterochromatin together with heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). Novel human and chicken Arps, hArp6 and gArp6, respectively. They are closely related to each other (98% similar) and show apparent similarity to dArp6 (70%).

In addition, the hArp6 gene possesses evolutionarily conserved exon/intron structures compared with genes for members of the Arp6 subfamily in invertebrates. Like Drosophila dArp6, gArp6 is expressed abundantly in the early developmental stages, when heterochromatin condensation and nuclear maturation occur. The finding of a conserved Arp6 subfamily in vertebrates will contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms of heterochromatin organization.