Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1)

Initially identified as neuronal protein that specifically associates with HTT/huntingtin and the binding is enhanced by an expanded polyglutamine repeat within HTT possibly affecting HAP1 interaction properties. The two HTT and HAP1 are involved in intracellular trafficking and HAP1 is proposed to connect HTT to motor proteins and/or transport cargos.

Seems to play a role in vesicular transport within neurons and axons like from early endosomes to late endocytic compartments and to promote neurite outgrowth. The vesicular transport function via association with microtubule-dependent transporters can be attenuated by association with mutant HTT.