Dynamin-1 (Dyn1), with 864-amino acid protein (about 95kDa), belongs to the dynamin family. Dynamin-1 (neuron-specific), dynamin-2 (ubiquitously expressed), and dynamin-3 (expressed only in the testis, brain, and lung), constitute the dynamin family. Members of the dynamin family are GPTase, microtubule-associated proteins which are involved in endocytosis, synaptic transmission and neurogenesis. Dynamin-1 is phosphorylated in nerve terminals exclusively in the cytosolic compartment and in vitro by protein kinase C. Dynamin-1 is a large GTPase enzyme required in membrane constriction and fission during multiple forms of endocytosis. Dynamin-1 is also a key molecule required for the recycling of synaptic vesicles in neurons, and it has been known that dynamin-1 gene expression is induced during neuronal differentiation.
