title: Microtubule-associated protein 1B is involved in the initial stages of axonogenesis in peripheral nervous system cultured neurons.
abstract: Neuronal process extension is dependent on the reorganisation of the cytoskeleton, in particular microtubules and microfilaments, and one of the ways in which microtubules are regulated is by a group of microtubule-associated proteins called MAPs. MAP1B, the first MAP to be expressed in developing neurons, has been shown to play an important role during axonogenesis. Previously, we have shown that a phosphorylated isoform of MAP1B is involved in maintaining growth cone microtubules in a dynamically unstable state. In order to further investigate the role of MAP1B during axonogenesis we have cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from a MAP1B deficient mutant mouse. These mice express only trace amounts of MAP1B, have defects in the development of their nervous system and die perinatally. Cultured DRG neurons from MAP1B deficient mice show a reduction in axon elongation and an increase in growth cone area. The reduction in axon elongation is most likely to occur due to an inhibition in the early stages of axonogenesis. Using time-lapse video we have verified that during the first 2 h after plating, MAP1B deficient neurones extend their axons with an average speed that is half the speed of control neurones. These results support the participation of MAP1B during the initial stages of axonogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, UAM-CSIC, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Billault
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gordon-Weeks
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; C085284:microtubule-associated protein 1B