[Structure and function of mammalian brain microtubule-associated proteins]. 1994

T Fujii
Department of Functional Polymer Science, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Japan.

Cytoplasmic microtubules are fibrous intracellular organelles found in almost all eukaryotic cells and play an important role in maintenance of cell shape, cell division, axonal transport, secretion and receptor activity. Besides tubulin dimers, microtubule proteins consist of several other components called MAPs which promote microtubule assembly and form long filamentous projection on the surface of the polymer. In mammalian brain, two classes of MAPs have been characterized; one is structural MAPs including MAP1 (1A and 1B), MAP2 (2A, 2B and 2C) and tau which function in the morphogenesis and maintenance of neural tissues and cells, and the other contains motor MAPs (kinesin and MAP1C) which are related to translocation of vesicles along microtubules in axon and to mitosis. The primary sequences of MAPs have been determined from their cDNAs. The functions of structural MAPs are modulated by their binding to other intracellular components, different expressions of isoforms during brain development and phosphorylation-dephosphorylation by various protein kinases and phosphatases. Biochemical characterization of MAP2 and tau have been well investigated. However, little is known about the function of MAP1 under the biochemical level, because MAP1 is unstable and high sensitive to proteases. We have developed a simple and rapid purification procedure for MAP1 using poly (L-aspartic acid) and taxol, and observed MAP1-F-actin interaction as well as MAP1-microtubules interaction. Recently, we have found that three specific kinases which can phosphorylate MAP1A and 1B are associated with MAP1 preparation and called it MAP1 kinase. Some evidence suggest that one of them is an unknown kinase and others are casein kinase I- and II-like kinases. Further studies to examine MAP1 kinase and phosphorylation of MAP1 provide a valuable insight for understanding thoroughly the microtubule-mediated functions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008869 Microtubule-Associated Proteins High molecular weight proteins found in the MICROTUBULES of the cytoskeletal system. Under certain conditions they are required for TUBULIN assembly into the microtubules and stabilize the assembled microtubules. Ensconsin,Epithelial MAP, 115 kDa,Epithelial Microtubule-Associate Protein, 115 kDa,MAP4,Microtubule Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Protein 4,Microtubule Associated Protein 7,Microtubule-Associated Protein,Microtubule-Associated Protein 7,E-MAP-115,MAP1 Microtubule-Associated Protein,MAP2 Microtubule-Associated Protein,MAP3 Microtubule-Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Proteins,Microtubule-Associated Protein 1,Microtubule-Associated Protein 2,Microtubule-Associated Protein 3,7, Microtubule-Associated Protein,Associated Protein, Microtubule,E MAP 115,Epithelial Microtubule Associate Protein, 115 kDa,MAP1 Microtubule Associated Protein,MAP2 Microtubule Associated Protein,MAP3 Microtubule Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Protein 1,Microtubule Associated Protein 2,Microtubule Associated Protein 3,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP1,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP2,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP3,Protein 7, Microtubule-Associated,Protein, Microtubule Associated,Protein, Microtubule-Associated
D010766 Phosphorylation The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety. Phosphorylations
D002450 Cell Communication Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP. Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D002455 Cell Division The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION. M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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