Posttranslational modifications of tubulin and the polarized transport of kinesin-1 in neurons.

ABSTRACT: Polarized transport by microtubule-based motors is critical for neuronal development and function. Selective translocation of the Kinesin-1 motor domain is the earliest known marker of axonal identity, occurring before morphological differentiation. Thus, Kinesin-1-mediated transport may contribute to axonal specification. We tested whether posttranslational modifications of tubulin influence the ability of Kinesin-1 motors to distinguish microtubule tracks during neuronal development. We detected no difference in microtubule stability between axons and minor neurites in polarized stage 3 hippocampal neurons. In contrast, microtubule modifications were enriched in a subset of neurites in unpolarized stage 2 cells and the developing axon in polarized stage 3 cells. This enrichment correlate

SUBMITTER: Hammond JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2820422 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature