TUBA1A, encoding tubulin alpha 1a, is a crucial gene for microtubule formation. Microtubules, made of α/β-tubulin dimers, drive neurite outgrowth, promote neuronal growth cone responses, and facilitate intracellular transport during neurodevelopment [2,3]. TUBA1A constitutes the majority of α-tubulin in the developing brain [2].

In a Tuba1a loss-of-function mouse model (Tuba1aND/+), α-tubulin levels were reduced in juvenile brains. This led to less microtubule assembly in axons, causing more pausing during organelle trafficking in postnatal day 0 cultured neurons. The mice developed adult-onset ataxia, indicating TUBA1A-rich microtubule tracks are essential for mature neuron function and synapse maintenance [1]. Another study with the Tuba1aND/+ mice showed that reduced Tuba1a α-tubulin had a significant impact on axon extension and impaired formation of forebrain commissures, while neuronal migration and cortex development were relatively normal. Neurons with the Tuba1aND mutation exhibited slower outgrowth and failed to localize microtubule-associated protein-1b to the growth cone [2].

In conclusion, TUBA1A is vital for microtubule-related functions in neurodevelopment. Mouse models with TUBA1A loss-of-function mutations have revealed its importance in axon extension, commissure formation, organelle trafficking, and mature neuron function, which are relevant to understanding human neurodevelopmental disorders associated with TUBA1A mutations, such as tubulinopathies [1,2,3].