Katanin is a protein complex that plays a crucial role in the severing of microtubules, which are components of the cytoskeleton within cells. It is named after the Japanese word "katana," meaning sword, due to its ability to cut microtubules. Katanin is composed of two subunits: the catalytic p60 subunit and the regulatory p80 subunit. This complex is essential for various cellular processes, including cell division, intracellular transport, and the maintenance of cellular architecture.
