Effects of three microtubule-associated proteins (MAP2, MAP4, and Tau) on microtubules' physical properties and neurite morphology.

ABSTRACT: The physical properties of cytoskeletal microtubules have a multifaceted effect on the expression of their cellular functions. A superfamily of microtubule-associated proteins, MAP2, MAP4, and tau, promote the polymerization of microtubules, stabilize the formed microtubules, and affect the physical properties of microtubules. Here, we show differences in the effects of these three MAPs on the physical properties of microtubules. When microtubule-binding domain fragments of MAP2, tau, and three MAP4 isoforms were added to microtubules in vitro and observed by fluorescence microscopy, tau-bound microtubules showed a straighter morphology than the microtubules bound by MAP2 and the three MAP4 isoforms. Flexural rigidity was evaluated by the shape of the teardrop pattern formed when microtubu

SUBMITTER: Nishida K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10232483 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature