Selective stabilization of tau in axons and microtubule-associated protein 2C in cell bodies and dendrites contributes to polarized localization of cytoskeletal proteins in mature neurons.

• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.132.4.667
• Publication Date: 2004-05-15T01:23:47Z
• Authors: N Hirokawa; T Funakoshi; R Sato-Harada; Y Kanai
• Keywords: Microtubule-associated protein; Compartmentalization (fire protection); Axoplasmic transport

In mature neurons, tau is abundant in axons, whereas microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and MAP2C are specifically localized dendrites. Known mechanisms involved the compartmentalization of these cytoskeletal proteins include differential localization mRNA (MAP2 dendrites, cell body, Tau proximal axon revealed by situ hybridization) (Garner, C.C., R.P. Tucker, A. Matus. 1988. Nature (Lond.). 336:674-677; Litman, P., J. Barg, L. Rindzooski, I. Ginzburg. 1993. Neuron. 10:627-638), suppressed transit MAP2 into axons (revealed cDNA transfection neurons) (Kanai, Y., N. Hirokawa. 1995. 14:421-432), turnover vs dendrites (Okabe, S., 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86:4127-4131). To investigate whether MAPs contributes to other major general, we microinjected biotinylated tau, MAP2C, or spinal cord neurons culture (approximately 3 wk) then analyzed their fates antibiotin immunocytochemistry. Initially, each was detected although persisted only were restricted bodies Injected bound dendritic microtubules more firmly than while injected axonal Thus, beyond contributions from selective transport, three occurs through local turnover.