Transglutaminase and polyamination of tubulin: posttranslational modification for stabilizing axonal microtubules.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal microtubules support intracellular transport, facilitate axon growth, and form a basis for neuronal morphology. While microtubules in nonneuronal cells are depolymerized by cold, Ca(2+), or antimitotic drugs, neuronal microtubules are unusually stable. Such stability is important for normal axon growth and maintenance, while hyperstability may compromise neuronal function in aging and degeneration. Though mechanisms for stability are unclear, studies suggest that stable microtubules contain biochemically distinct tubulins that are more basic than conventional tubulins. Transglutaminase-catalyzed posttranslational incorporation of polyamines is one of the few modifications of intracellular proteins that add positive charges. Here we show that neuronal tubulin can be polyaminated by

SUBMITTER: Song Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3627183 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature