The con80 domain of katanin is the C-terminal region of the protein that binds to the N-terminal domain of katanin-p60, the catalytic ATPase. The complex associates with a specific subregion of the mitotic spindle leading to increased microtubule disassembly and targeting of p60 to the spindle poles [1]. The assembly and function of the mitotic spindle requires the activity of a number of microtubule-binding proteins. Katanin, a heterodimeric microtubule-severing ATPase, is found localized at mitotic spindle poles. A proposed model is that katanin is targeted to spindle poles through a combination of direct microtubule binding by the p60 subunit and through interactions between the WD40 domain and an unknown protein [2].

1: Two domains of p80 katanin regulate microtubule severing and spindle pole targeting by p60 katanin. McNally KP, Bazirgan OA, McNally FJ; J Cell Sci. 2000;113:1623-1633. PMID:10751153

2: Katanin regulates dynamics of microtubules and biogenesis of motile cilia. Sharma N, Bryant J, Wloga D, Donaldson R, Davis RC, Jerka-Dziadosz M, Gaertig J; J Cell Biol. 2007;178:1065-1079. PMID:17846175