An assay to image neuronal microtubule dynamics in mice

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2014 papers

Abstract

Microtubule dynamics in neurons play critical roles in physiology, injury and disease and determine microtubule orientation, the cell biological correlate of neurite polarization. Several microtubule binding proteins, including end-binding protein 3 (EB3), specifically bind to the growing plus tip of microtubules. In the past, fluorescently tagged end-binding proteins have revealed microtubule dynamics in vitro and in non-mammalian model organisms. Here, we devise an imaging assay based on transgenic mice expressing yellow fluorescent protein-tagged EB3 to study microtubules in intact mammalian neurites. Our approach allows measurement of microtubule dynamics in vivo and ex vivo in peripheral nervous system and central nervous system neurites under physiological conditions and after exposure to microtubule-modifying drugs. We find an increase in dynamic microtubules after injury and in neurodegenerative disease states, before axons show morphological indications of degeneration or regrowth. Thus increased microtubule dynamics might serve as a general indicator of neurite remodelling in health and disease.

Related Papers

• → MAP2 and tau bind longitudinally along the outer ridges of microtubule protofilaments(2002)321 cited
• → Effects of three microtubule-associated proteins (MAP2, MAP4, and Tau) on microtubules’ physical properties and neurite morphology(2023)36 cited
• → Microtubule-Stabilizing Activity of Microtubule-Associated Proteins (MAPs) Is Due to Increase in Frequency of Rescue in Dynamic Instability: Shortening Length Decreases with Binding of MAPs onto Microtubules.(1994)59 cited
• → Low molecular weight microtubule-associated proteins are light chains of microtubule-associated protein 1 (MAP 1).(1983)111 cited
• → Microtubule‐binding property of microtubule‐associated protein 2 differs from that of microtubule‐associated protein 4 and tau(1999)17 cited