Biochemical characterization of related microtubule proteins in Drosophila melanogaster and adult rat brain.
We describe the biochemical characteristics of three proteins isolated from Drosophila embryos and the rat brain. We refer to these proteins as DMAPs (Drosophila microtubule-associated proteins) since they were identified by monoclonal antibodies generated against microtubule protein (MTP) purified from Drosophila melanogaster embryos. DMAP-45 is a 45 kDa protein that binds microtubules in an ATP dependent manner. Preliminary biochemical evidence suggests that DMAP-45 may be an actin-related protein. DMAP-55 is a 55 kDa protein and based on its molecular weight and isoelectric point, may be a novel isoform of tubulin. DMAP-66 is a 66 kDa protein that binds strongly to microtubules in vitro and has multiple isoforms. Analyses of proteins in rat brain tissue extracts and purified rat brain MTP identified proteins of similar molecular weight and isoelectric points and are designated DMAP-45R, -55R and -66R. The presence of proteins with common biochemical properties in these widely divergent animal species suggests that they are related proteins.
Srinivasan
S
S
Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Karr
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TL
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008868:Microtubule Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D015349:Vision, Monocular / Q000502:physiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008868:Microtubule Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate