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Myelin basic protein binds microtubules to a membrane surface and to actin filaments in vitro: effect of

Joan M Boggs1, Godha Rangaraj, Yew-Meng Heng

  • 1Molecular Structure and Function Program, Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. jmboggs@sickkids.ca

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|December 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Myelin basic protein (MBP) binds microtubules to lipid vesicles and actin filaments. Post-translational modifications regulate MBP

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Myelin basic protein (MBP) is crucial for myelin sheath stability and integrity.
  • MBP interacts with membranes, actin filaments, and microtubules.
  • MBP's role in oligodendrocyte signal transduction is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction of the 18.5 kDa MBP isoform with microtubules and lipid vesicles.
  • To determine the effect of phosphorylation and deimination on MBP's microtubule-binding and tethering capabilities.
  • To explore MBP's potential role in cross-linking microtubules and actin filaments in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro binding assays using MBP and lipid vesicles.
  • Analysis of microtubule polymerization and bundling.
  • In vitro assays to assess MBP's ability to tether microtubules to vesicles.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy in cultured oligodendrocytes.

Main Results:

  • MBP binds microtubules to lipid vesicles in vitro.
  • Phosphorylation and deimination of MBP minimally affected microtubule polymerization but significantly reduced tethering to vesicles.
  • MBP and its modified variants bind microtubules to actin filaments.
  • MBP co-localizes with actin filaments and microtubules in oligodendrocytes.

Conclusions:

  • MBP can tether microtubules to lipid vesicles, a function regulated by post-translational modifications.
  • MBP may cross-link microtubules to the oligodendrocyte membrane and to actin filaments in vivo.
  • Post-translational modifications of MBP play a regulatory role in its interaction with microtubules and membranes.

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