Lack of stabilized microtubules as a result of the absence of major maps in CAD cells does not preclude neurite formation

• Published in: The FEBS journal 2009-12, Vol.276 (23), p.7110-7123
• Main Authors: Bisig, C. Gastón, Chesta, María E, Zampar, Guillermo G, Purro, Silvia A, Santander, Verónica S, Arce, Carlos A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; CAD cells; Cells, Cultured; Cellular biology; Mice; microtubule dynamics; microtubule-associated proteins; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - genetics; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - metabolism; microtubules; Microtubules - metabolism; Microtubules - ultrastructure; Molecular biology; neurites; Neurites - metabolism; Neurites - ultrastructure; Neurons; Protein Stability; Proteins; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; tau Proteins - genetics; tau Proteins - metabolism; Tubulin - genetics; Tubulin - metabolism
• ISSN: 1742-464X; 1742-4658
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07422.x

In many laboratories, the requirement of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and the stabilization of microtubules for the elongation of neurites has been intensively investigated, with controversial results being obtained. We have observed that the neurite microtubules of Cath.a-differentiated (CAD) cells, a mouse brain derived cell, are highly dynamic structures, and so we analyzed several aspects of the cytoskeleton to investigate the molecular causes of this phenomenon. Microtubules and microfilaments were present in proportions similar to those found in brain tissue and were distributed similarly to those in normal neurons in culture. Neurofilaments were also present. Analysis of tubulin isospecies originating from post-translational modifications revealed an increased amount of tyrosinated tubulin, a diminished amount of the detyrosinated form and a lack of the Delta2 form. This tyrosination pattern is in agreement with highly dynamic microtubules. Using western blot analyses with specific antibodies, we found that CAD cells do not express several MAPs such as MAP1b, MAP2, Tau, doublecortin, and stable-tubule-only-peptide. The presence of the genes corresponding to these MAPs was verified. The absence of the corresponding mRNAs confirmed the lack of expression of these proteins. The exception was Tau, whose mRNA was present. Among the several MAPs investigated, LIS1 was the only one to be expressed in CAD cells. In addition, we determined that neurites of CAD cells form and elongate at the same rate as processes in a primary culture of hippocampal neurons. Treatment with nocodazol precluded the formation of neurites, and induced the retraction of previously formed neurites. We conclude that the formation and elongation of neurites, at least in CAD cells, are dependent on microtubule integrity but not on their stabilization or the presence of MAPs.