TUBA8 (tubulin alpha 8) is a tissue-specific alpha-tubulin isoform that functions as a major structural constituent of microtubules, forming GTP-binding heterodimers with beta-tubulin 1. As the most divergent member of the mammalian alpha-tubulin family, TUBA8 is preferentially expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and testis, with notably high expression in hepatic stellate cells and hepatocellular carcinoma tissues 12. TUBA8 expression is regulated at the post-translational level through interaction with alpha-syntrophin in hepatocytes, independent of mRNA regulation 3. Mechanistically, TUBA8 modulates cell-type-specific responses including growth inhibition in hepatoma cells and enhanced migration in transformed hepatocytes 4. In spermatogenesis, TUBA8 localizes specifically to developing spermatids with acrosomal distribution, suggesting roles in spermiogenesis 5. Disease associations include polymicrogyria, a cortical malformation disorder, though recent evidence suggests SNAP29 mutations may account for neurodevelopmental phenotypes 65. TUBA8 dysregulation associates with ankylosing spondylitis-related femoral head necrosis and is implicated in schizophrenia through ceRNA regulatory networks 78. TUBA8 is also associated with autosomal dominant isolated macrothrombocytopenia, though mechanistic details require further investigation.