At the onset of mitosis, assembly of the mitotic spindle requires a global change in the activity of microtubule-binding proteins. EML3 (Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 3) is a 896 amino acid protein that likely modifies microtubule dynamics by making them longer. Through colocalization with spindle microtubules during mitosis, EML3 plays a role in correct metaphase chromosome alignment. EML3 contains a nuclear localization signal and a microtubule-binding domain. The gene encoding EML3 maps to human chromosome 11, which houses over 1,400 genes and comprises nearly 4% of the human genome. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, hereditary angioedema and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome are associated with defects in genes that maps to chromosome 11.
