scholarly journals Domains of Neuronal Microtubule-associated Proteins and Flexural Rigidity of Microtubules

1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 1067-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Felgner ◽  
Rainer Frank ◽  
Jacek Biernat ◽  
Eva-Maria Mandelkow ◽  
Eckhard Mandelkow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Flexural Rigidity ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Fourfold Increase ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
And Function

Microtubules are flexible polymers whose mechanical properties are an important factor in the determination of cell architecture and function. It has been proposed that the two most prominent neuronal microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), tau and MAP2, whose microtubule binding regions are largely homologous, make an important contribution to the formation and maintenance of neuronal processes, putatively by increasing the rigidity of microtubules. Using optical tweezers to manipulate single microtubules, we have measured their flexural rigidity in the presence of various constructs of tau and MAP2c. The results show a three- or fourfold increase of microtubule rigidity in the presence of wild-type tau or MAP2c, respectively. Unexpectedly, even low concentrations of MAPs promote a substantial increase in microtubule rigidity. Thus at ∼20% saturation with full-length tau, a microtubule exhibits >80% of the rigidity observed at near saturating concentrations. Several different constructs of tau or MAP2 were used to determine the relative contribution of certain subdomains in the microtubule-binding region. All constructs tested increase microtubule rigidity, albeit to different extents. Thus, the repeat domains alone increase microtubule rigidity only marginally, whereas the domains flanking the repeats make a significant contribution. Overall, there is an excellent correlation between the strength of binding of a MAP construct to microtubules (as represented by its dissociation constant Kd) and the increase in microtubule rigidity. These findings demonstrate that neuronal MAPs as well as constructs derived from them increase microtubule rigidity, and that the changes in rigidity observed with different constructs correlate well with other biochemical and physiological parameters.

Molecular architecture and functions of the neuronal cytoskeleton

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Nobutaka Hirokawa
Keyword(s):  
Major Elements ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Organelle Transport ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Neuronal Morphogenesis ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
And Function ◽  
Small Clusters

In this symposium I will present our studies about the molecular architecture and function of the cytomatrix of the nerve cells. The nerve cell is a highly polarized cell composed of highly branched dendrites, cell body, and a single long axon along the direction of the impulse propagation. Each part of the neuron takes characteristic shapes for which the cytoskeleton provides the framework. The neuronal cytoskeletons play important roles on neuronal morphogenesis, organelle transport and the synaptic transmission. In the axon neurofilaments (NF) form dense arrays, while microtubules (MT) are arranged as small clusters among the NFs. On the other hand, MTs are distributed uniformly, whereas NFs tend to run solitarily or form small fascicles in the dendrites Quick freeze deep etch electron microscopy revealed various kinds of strands among MTs, NFs and membranous organelles (MO). These structures form major elements of the cytomatrix in the neuron. To investigate molecular nature and function of these filaments first we studied molecular structures of microtubule associated proteins (MAP1A, MAP1B, MAP2, MAP2C and tau), and microtubules reconstituted from MAPs and tubulin in vitro. These MAPs were all fibrous molecules with different length and formed arm like projections from the microtubule surface.

scholarly journals Cytoplasmic Dynein Mediates Adenovirus Binding to Microtubules

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (18) ◽  
pp. 10122-10132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir A. Kelkar ◽  
K. Kevin Pfister ◽  
Ronald G. Crystal ◽  
Philip L. Leopold
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motor ◽  
Retrograde Transport ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Bovine Brain ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Primary Mode ◽  
Cell Lysate ◽  
Brain Maps ◽  
Associated Proteins

ABSTRACT During infection, adenovirus (Ad) capsids undergo microtubule-dependent retrograde transport as part of a program of vectorial transport of the viral genome to the nucleus. The microtubule-associated molecular motor, cytoplasmic dynein, has been implicated in the retrograde movement of Ad. We hypothesized that cytoplasmic dynein constituted the primary mode of association of Ad with microtubules. To evaluate this hypothesis, an Ad-microtubule binding assay was established in which microtubules were polymerized with taxol, combined with Ad in the presence or absence of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), and centrifuged through a glycerol cushion. The addition of purified bovine brain MAPs increased the fraction of Ad in the microtubule pellet from 17.3% ± 3.5% to 80.7% ± 3.8% (P < 0.01). In the absence of tubulin polymerization or in the presence of high salt, no Ad was found in the pellet. Ad binding to microtubules was not enhanced by bovine brain MAPs enriched for tau protein or by the addition of bovine serum albumin. Enhanced Ad-microtubule binding was also observed by using a fraction of MAPs purified from lung A549 epithelial cell lysate which contained cytoplasmic dynein. Ad-microtubule interaction was sensitive to the addition of ATP, a hallmark of cytoplasmic dynein-dependent microtubule interactions. Immunodepletion of cytoplasmic dynein from the A549 cell lysate abolished the MAP-enhanced Ad-microtubule binding. The interaction of Ad with both dynein and dynactin complexes was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation. Partially uncoated capsids isolated from cells 40 min after infection also exhibited microtubule binding. In summary, the primary mode of Ad attachment to microtubules occurs though cytoplasmic dynein-mediated binding.

scholarly journals The structured core of human β tubulin confers isotype-specific polymerization properties

2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa C. Pamula ◽  
Shih-Chieh Ti ◽  
Tarun M. Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Microtubule Dynamic ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Cytoskeleton Organization ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
And Function ◽  
Β Tubulin

Diversity in cytoskeleton organization and function may be achieved through variations in primary sequence of tubulin isotypes. Recently, isotype functional diversity has been linked to a “tubulin code” in which the C-terminal tail, a region of substantial sequence divergence between isotypes, specifies interactions with microtubule-associated proteins. However, it is not known whether residue changes in this region alter microtubule dynamic instability. Here, we examine recombinant tubulin with human β isotype IIB and characterize polymerization dynamics. Microtubules with βIIB have catastrophe frequencies approximately threefold lower than those with isotype βIII, a suppression similar to that achieved by regulatory proteins. Further, we generate chimeric β tubulins with native tail sequences swapped between isotypes. These chimeras have catastrophe frequencies similar to that of the corresponding full-length construct with the same core sequence. Together, our data indicate that residue changes within the conserved β tubulin core are largely responsible for the observed isotype-specific changes in dynamic instability parameters and tune tubulin’s polymerization properties across a wide range.

scholarly journals MAP6 is an intraluminal protein that induces neuronal microtubules to coil

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (14) ◽  
pp. eaaz4344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Cuveillier ◽  
Julie Delaroche ◽  
Maxime Seggio ◽  
Sylvie Gory-Fauré ◽  
Christophe Bosc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
The Face ◽  
Cold Stability

Neuronal activities depend heavily on microtubules, which shape neuronal processes and transport myriad molecules within them. Although constantly remodeled through growth and shrinkage events, neuronal microtubules must be sufficiently stable to maintain nervous system wiring. This stability is somehow maintained by various microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), but little is known about how these proteins work. Here, we show that MAP6, previously known to confer cold stability to microtubules, promotes growth. More unexpectedly, MAP6 localizes in the lumen of microtubules, induces the microtubules to coil into a left-handed helix, and forms apertures in the lattice, likely to relieve mechanical stress. These features have not been seen in microtubules before and could play roles in maintaining axonal width or providing flexibility in the face of compressive forces during development.

scholarly journals Functionally distinct isoforms of dynactin are expressed in human neurons.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1167-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
M K Tokito ◽  
D S Howland ◽  
V M Lee ◽  
E L Holzbaur
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Alternative Mrna Splicing ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Dynactin Complex

P150Glued is the largest subunit of dynactin, which binds to cytoplasmic dynein and activates vesicle transport along microtubules. We have isolated human cDNAs encoding p150Glued as well as a 135-kDa isoform; these isoforms are expressed in human brain by alternative mRNA splicing of the human DCTN1 gene. The p135 isoform lacks the consensus microtubule-binding motif shared by members of the p150Glued/Glued/CLIP-170/BIK1 family of microtubule-associated proteins and, therefore, is predicted not to bind directly to microtubules. We used transient transfection assays and in vitro microtubule-binding assays to demonstrate that the p150 isoform binds to microtubules, but the p135 isoform does not. However, both isoforms bind to cytoplasmic dynein, and both partition similarly into cytosolic and membrane cellular fractions. Sequential immunoprecipitations with an isoform-specific antibody for p150 followed by a pan-isoform antibody revealed that, in brain, these polypeptides assemble to form distinct complexes, each of which sediments at approximately 20 S. On the basis of these observations, we hypothesize that there is a conserved neuronal function for a distinct form of the dynactin complex that cannot bind directly to cellular microtubules.

scholarly journals Polarity orientation and assembly process of microtubule bundles in nocodazole-treated, MAP2c-transfected COS cells.

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 981-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Takemura ◽  
S Okabe ◽  
T Umeyama ◽  
N Hirokawa
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Model System ◽  
Sf9 Cells ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Cos Cells ◽  
Microtubule Polarity ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Peripheral Cytoplasm

Microtubule bundles reminiscent of those found in neuronal processes are formed in fibroblasts and Sf9 cells that are transfected with the microtubule-associated proteins tau, MAP2, or MAP2c. To analyze the assembly process of these bundles and its relation to the microtubule polarity, we depolymerized the bundles formed in MAP2c-transfected COS cells using nocodazole, and observed the process of assembly of microtubule bundles after removal of the drug in cells microinjected with rhodamine-labeled tubulin. Within minutes of its removal, numerous short microtubule fragments were observed throughout the cytoplasm. These short fragments were randomly oriented and were already bundled. Somewhat longer, but still short bundles, were then found in the peripheral cytoplasm. These bundles became the primordium of the larger bundles, and gradually grew in length and width. The polarity orientation of microtubules in the reformed bundle as determined by "hook" procedure using electron microscope was uniform with the plus end distal to the cell nucleus. The results suggest that some mechanism(s) exists to orient the polarity of microtubules, which are not in direct continuity with the centrosome, during the formation of large bundles. The observed process presents a useful model system for studying the organization of microtubules that are not directly associated with the centrosomes, such as those observed in axons.

FORCE GENERATION BY MICROTUBULE BUNDLES

2009 ◽  
Vol 04 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
JULIEN HUSSON ◽  
LIEDEWIJ LAAN ◽  
MARILEEN DOGTEROM
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Force Generation ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Microtubule Bundle ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Microtubule

Dynamic microtubule bundles are involved in several motility processes in cells, for instance by interacting with mitotic chromosomes. The study of microtubule bundle dynamics and force generation can help understanding the mechanisms underlying these complex processes. Here we discuss experimental results on the force-generating capabilities of bundles of non-crosslinked growing microtubules obtained using an optical tweezers technique in vitro. We discuss the possible effects on force generation by these microtubule bundles of specific (with microtubule-associated proteins) and aspecific (with ions or crowding agents) ways of crosslinking microtubules. We present preliminary results showing that force generation by microtubule bundles is enhanced in the presence of polyethylene glycol used as a crowding agent, and discuss possible explanations for this observation.

scholarly journals A novel microtubule-binding motif identified in a high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein from Trypanosoma brucei

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hemphill ◽  
M Affolter ◽  
T Seebeck
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Amino Acid Repeat ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Repeat Units ◽  
Associated Proteins

The major component of the cytoskeleton of the parasitic hemoflagellate Trypanosoma brucei is a membrane skeleton which consists of a single layer of tightly spaced microtubules. This array encloses the entire cell body, and it is apposed to, and connected with, the overlying cell membrane. The microtubules of this array contain numerous microtubule-associated proteins. Prominent among those is a family of high molecular weight, repetitive proteins which consist to a large extent of tandemly arranged 38-amino acid repeat units. The binding of one of these proteins, MARP-1, to microtubules has now been characterized in vitro and in vivo. MARP-1 binds to microtubules via tubulin domains other than the COOH-termini used by microtubule-associated proteins from mammalian brain, e.g., MAP2 or Tau. In vitro binding assays using recombinant protein, as well as transfection of mammalian cell lines, have established that the repetitive 38-amino acid repeat units represent a novel microtubule-binding motif. This motif is very similar in length to those of the mammalian microtubule-associated proteins Tau, MAP2, and MAP-U, but both its sequence and charge are different. The observation that the microtubule-binding motifs both of the neural and the trypanosomal proteins are of similar length may reflect the fact that both mediate binding to the same repetitive surface, the microtubule, while their sequence and charge differences are in agreement with the observation that they interact with different domains of the tubulins.

scholarly journals Generation of microtubule stability subclasses by microtubule-associated proteins: implications for the microtubule "dynamic instability" model.

1985 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 1680-1689 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Job ◽  
M Pabion ◽  
R L Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Microtubule Dynamic ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Microtubule Stability ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Protein Map ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Specific Influence ◽  
Assay Conditions

We have developed a method to distinguish microtubule associated protein (MAP)-containing regions from MAP-free regions within a microtubule, or within microtubule sub-populations. In this method, we measure the MAP-dependent stabilization of microtubule regions to dilution-induced disassembly of the polymer. The appropriate microtubule regions are identified by assembly in the presence of [3H]GTP, and assayed by filter trapping and quantitation of microtubule regions that contain label. We find that MAPs bind very rapidly to polymer binding sites and that they do not exchange from these sites measurably once bound. Also, very low concentrations of MAPs yield measurable stabilization of local microtubule regions. Unlike the stable tubule only polypeptide (STOP) proteins, MAPs do not exhibit any sliding behavior under our assay conditions. These results predict the presence of different stability subclasses of microtubules when MAPs are present in less than saturating amounts. The data can readily account for the observed "dynamic instability" of microtubules through unequal MAP distributions. Further, we report that MAP dependent stabilization is quantitatively reversed by MAP phosphorylation, but that calmodulin, in large excess, has no specific influence on MAP protein activity when MAPs are on microtubules.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document