unc-76 encodes a predicted coiled-coil protein that belongs to the FEZ (fasciculation and elongation protein; zygin/zeta-1) family of proteins; UNC-76 activity is required for normal axonal outgrowth and fasciculation and hence, normal locomotion; UNC-76 expression begins during embryogenesis and is present in all axons throughout development; UNC-76 localizes to both axons and cell bodies.
Enables syntaxin binding activity. Involved in anterograde axonal protein transport; axonal fasciculation; and regulation of cellular component organization. Located in axon; neuronal cell body; and perinuclear region of cytoplasm. Expressed in neurons and somatic nervous system. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in schizophrenia. Is an ortholog of human FEZ1 (fasciculation and elongation protein zeta 1).