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Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

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Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...

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Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System

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Published on: March 20, 2016

XMAP215 is a processive microtubule polymerase.

Gary J Brouhard¹, Jeffrey H Stear, Tim L Noetzel

¹Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.

|January 15, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

XMAP215 is a microtubule polymerase that accelerates growth by "tip tracking" tubulin subunits. This processive mechanism, similar to actin polymerases, directly catalyzes microtubule assembly and can also promote shrinkage.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Microtubule dynamics are crucial for cell proliferation and differentiation.
XMAP215 is a conserved protein family known to promote microtubule growth.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanism by which XMAP215 accelerates microtubule polymerization.
To visualize the direct interaction of XMAP215 with dynamic microtubules at the single-molecule level.

Main Methods:

Development of a single-molecule assay.
Visualization of XMAP215-GFP interacting with microtubules.
Analysis of tubulin subunit addition and microtubule dynamics.

Main Results:

XMAP215 forms a 1:1 complex with free tubulin.
XMAP215 utilizes a diffusion-facilitated mechanism to target microtubule plus ends.
XMAP215 exhibits "tip tracking" behavior, acting as a processive polymerase that adds up to 25 tubulin dimers.
XMAP215 can also mediate microtubule depolymerization under certain conditions.

Conclusions:

XMAP215 functions as a processive microtubule polymerase, directly catalyzing assembly.
The "tip tracking" mechanism is conserved across cytoskeletal polymerases, including formins.
Understanding XMAP215's mechanism provides insights into cytoskeletal regulation.