scholarly journals The in vitro assembly of flagellar outer doublet tubulin.

1978 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 500-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
L I Binder ◽  
J L Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Associated Proteins

Flagellar outer doublet microtubules were solubilized by use of sonication, and the tubulin was reassembled in vitro into single microtubules containing 14 and 15 protofilaments. The tubulin assembly was dependent on both the KCl and tubulin concentrations, exhibiting a critical concentration of 0.72 mg/ml at optimum solvent conditions. Flagellar tubulin was purified by cycles of temperature-dependent assembly-disassembly and molecular sieve chromatography, and characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Although doublet microtubules were not formed in vitro, outer doublet tubulin assembled onto intact A- and B-subfibers of outer doublet microtubules and basal bodies of Chlamydomonas; the rate of assembly from the distal ends of these structures was greater than that from the proximal ends. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) from mammalian brain stimulated outer doublet tubulin assembly, decorating the microtubules with fine filamentous projections.

Microtubule associated proteins in microtubule preparations made with and without glycerol

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 803-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. B. Keates
Keyword(s):  
Binding Assay ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Brain Homogenate ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
The Difference

Preparation of microtubule protein in the presence or absence of glycerol results in differences in polymerization properties and content of microtubule associated proteins. The variation in properties appears to result from the reduced proportion of microtubule associated proteins in preparations made with glycerol. I have used the colchicine binding assay to monitor recovery of active tubulin and have found that a single factor can account for the difference. During the in vitro assembly of microtubules from the crude brain homogenate, glycerol promotes polymerization of the bulk of the tubulin, while less than half is incorporated into microtubules in the absence of glycerol. Assembly of partly purified microtubule protein is not enhanced by glycerol however. Microtubule associated proteins present in the crude homogenate are almost completely incorporated into the microtubules regardless of the presence of glycerol, and their high content in glycerol-free preparations appears to be the trivial result of low tubulin recovery. The high affinity of microtubule associated proteins for the assembled microtubules has other consequences for in vitro studies of microtubule assembly, and critical concentration plots to determine the polymerization equilibrium constant can be distorted unless the preparation used has a high content of microtubule associated proteins.

scholarly journals Identity and Origin of the ATPase activity associated with neuronal microtubules. I. The ATPase activity is associated with membrane vesicles.

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1298-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
D B Murphy ◽  
R R Hiebsch ◽  
K T Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins

Microtubule protein purified from brain tissue by cycles of in vitro assembly-disassembly contains ATPase activity that has been postulated to be associated with microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and therefore significant for studies of microtubule-dependent motility. In this paper we demonstrate that greater than 90% of the ATPase activity is particulate in nature and may be derived from contaminating membrane vesicles. We also show that the MAPs (MAP-1, MAP-2, and tau factors) and other high molecular weight polypeptides do not contain significant amounts of ATPase activity. These findings do not support the concept of "brain dynein" or of MAPs with ATPase activity.

Tetrins: polypeptides that form bundled filaments in Tetrahymena

1990 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-302
Author(s):  
J.E. Honts ◽  
N.E. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filaments ◽  
Tetrahymena Pyriformis ◽  
Ciliated Protozoan ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Fine Filament ◽  
Helical Content ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Filament Bundles

The cortex of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena contains a number of fibrous elements, including a network of filaments that pervades the feeding organelle of this organism. The cluster of polypeptides (79–89K; K = 10(3) Mr) in Tetrahymena pyriformis GL-C that constitute these filaments has been purified by in vitro assembly after solubilization in 1.0 M KI. Four distinct sets of these polypeptides, designated ‘tetrins’, have been shown to be distinguishable from each other by immunochemical and biochemical criteria. The smallest filaments reassembled in vitro were 3–4 nm in diameter and these fine filaments were seen to be bundled together into thicker strands of varying diameters, similar to those within the cell. The thicker filament bundles were clearly distinguishable from intermediate filaments, but fine filaments in these bundles were superficially similar to the 2–5 nm filaments described as microtubule-associated proteins in other organisms. The ultrastructure of the tetrin filaments localized within the feeding organelle reveals a substantial presence of these filaments apart from microtubules. In addition, circular dichroism measurements indicate a relatively low alpha-helical content for these filaments and suggest that the tetrins may be substantially different from other fine filament proteins such as the tektins and giardins.

scholarly journals Interactions between neurofilaments and microtubule-associated proteins: a possible mechanism for intraorganellar bridging.

1982 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 982-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
J F Leterrier ◽  
R K Liem ◽  
M L Shelanski
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Saturable Binding ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Brain And Spinal Cord

Mammalian neurofilaments prepared from brain and spinal cord by either of two methods partially inhibit the in vitro assembly of microtubules. This inhibition is shown to be due to the association of a complex of high molecular weight microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1 and MAP2) and tubulin with the neurofilament. Further analysis of the association reveals a saturable binding of purified brain MAPs to purified neurofilaments with a Kd of 10(-7) M. Purified astroglial filaments neither inhibit microtubule assembly nor show significant binding of MAPs. It is proposed that the MAPs might function as one element in a network of intraorganellar links in the cytoplasm.

Association of fodrin with brain microtubules

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 372-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Fach ◽  
Susan F. Graham ◽  
Robert A. B. Keates
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Brain ◽  
Polypeptide Composition ◽  
Brain Membrane ◽  
Subunit Exchange ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Brain Microtubules

We have compared the polypeptide composition of microtubules isolated from bovine brain by the conventional in vitro reassembly method with those obtained by direct isolation of brain microtubules into a stabilizing buffer. The stabilizing buffer included 6.7 M glycerol to limit the rate of subunit exchange between assembled and unassembled states. The microtubule-associated proteins normally found by in vitro reassembly are also found in the stabilized preparation, but in smaller proportions. Fodrin, a brain membrane-associated protein believed to be homologous to spectrin, was found to be the most abundant component after tubulin in the stabilized microtubules. The ratio of tubulin to fodrin, 16:1 by mass, was almost constant at each stage of the preparation. Some actin was initially present in the stabilized microtubules, but was gradually lost during purification. When stabilized microtubules were diluted into cold aqueous buffer, they depolymerized and the recovered microtubule protein could then be purified by in vitro reassembly. The composition after this treatment resembled that of microtubules prepared initially by reassembly in vitro. The missing fodrin was found to be removed in the preliminary centrifugation and was unavailable for incorporation into growing microtubules during the in vitro assembly step. This suggests that the standard in vitro reassembly procedure for purification of microtubules may distort the composition of microtubule-associated proteins.

scholarly journals The periodic association of MAP2 with brain microtubules in vitro.

1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kim ◽  
L I Binder ◽  
J L Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Heat Stable ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Brain Microtubules ◽  
Brain Tubulin

Several high molecular weight polypeptides have been shown to quantitatively copurify with brain tubulin during cycles of in vitro assembly-disassembly. These microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) have been shown to influence the rate and extent of microtubule assembly in vitro. We report here that a heat-stable fraction highly enriched for one of the MAPs, MAP2 (mol wt approximately 300,000 daltons), devoid of MAP1 (mol wt approximately 350,000 daltons), has been purified from calf neurotubules. This MAP2 fraction stoichiometrically promotes microtubule assembly, lowering the critical concentration for tubulin assembly to 0.05 mg/ml. Microtubules saturated with MAP2 contain MAP2 and tubulin in a molar ratio of approximately 1 mole of MAP2 to 9 moles of tubulin dimer. Electron microscopy of thin sections of the MAP2-saturated microtubules fixed in the presence of tannic acid demonstrates a striking axial periodicity of 32 +/- 8 nm.

Stabilization of microtubule protein in glycerol solutions

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. B. Keates
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Microtubule Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Term Storage

The consequences of short-term storage of microtubule protein at 0 °C have been examined and the ability of glycerol to prevent loss of activity has been evaluated. Three forms of activity monitored include colchicine-binding activity, critical concentration, and relative polymerizing activity. Colchicine-binding activity decayed continuously and glycerol increased the half-life roughly in proportion to its concentration (t1/2 = 57 days in 4 M glycerol). Critical concentration remained relatively constant for 2–3 days and then increased rapidly in the absence of glycerol. This rapid increase was delayed in glycerol concentrations above 1 M. Relative polymerizing activity was based in this work on the slope of the critical concentration plot. In most cases, loss of activity was apparent after as little as 24 h. This was the first observed alteration in polymerization properties of the microtubule protein and glycerol concentrations below 3 M had little effect in slowing the decay. Degradation of microtubule-associated proteins may account for these changes in polymerization properties that occurred more rapidly than tubulin denaturation. Evidence for degradation was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Higher glycerol concentrations slowed this degradation.

Analysis of the Mechanism of Microtubule Dynamic Instability Using a UV Microbeam to Sever Elongating Microtubules

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 122-123
Author(s):  
R.A Walker ◽  
S. Inoue ◽  
E.D. Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Microtubule Dynamic ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Abrupt Transition ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Asymmetrical Structure ◽  
Associated Proteins

Microtubules polymerized in vitro from tubulin purified free of microtubule-associated proteins exhibit dynamic instability (1,2,3). Free microtubule ends exist in persistent phases of elongation or rapid shortening with infrequent, but, abrupt transitions between these phases. The abrupt transition from elongation to rapid shortening is termed catastrophe and the abrupt transition from rapid shortening to elongation is termed rescue. A microtubule is an asymmetrical structure. The plus end grows faster than the minus end. The frequency of catastrophe of the plus end is somewhat greater than the minus end, while the frequency of rescue of the plus end in much lower than for the minus end (4).The mechanism of catastrophe is controversial, but for both the plus and minus microtubule ends, catastrophe is thought to be dependent on GTP hydrolysis. Microtubule elongation occurs by the association of tubulin-GTP subunits to the growing end. Sometime after incorporation into an elongating microtubule end, the GTP is hydrolyzed to GDP, yielding a core of tubulin-GDP capped by tubulin-GTP (“GTP-cap”).

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document