Regulation of microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) subunit composition

De novo and inherited private variants in MAP1B in periventricular nodular heterotopia

Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) is a malformation of cortical development commonly associated with epilepsy. We exome sequenced 202 individuals with sporadic PVNH to identify novel genetic risk loci. We first performed a trio-based analysis and identified 219 de novo variants. Although no novel genes were implicated in this initial analysis, PVNH cases were found overall to have a significant excess of nonsynonymous de novo variants in intolerant genes (p = 3.27x10-7), suggesting a role for rare new alleles in genes yet to be associated with the condition. Using a gene-level collapsing analysis comparing cases and controls, we identified a genome-wide significant signal driven by four ultra-rare loss-of-function heterozygous variants in MAP1B, including one de novo variant. In at least one instance, the MAP1B variant was inherited from a parent with previously undiagnosed PVNH. The PVNH was frontally predominant and associated with perisylvian polymicrogyria. These results implicate MAP1B in PVNH. More broadly, our findings suggest that detrimental mutations likely arising in immediately preceding generations with incomplete penetrance may also be responsible for some apparently sporadic diseases.

PiT2 regulates neuronal outgrowth through interaction with microtubule-associated protein 1B

PiT2 is a member of the inorganic phosphate transporter family, and is extensively expressed in the nervous system. It was found that loop7 domain of PiT2 is not required for retroviral recognition and transport function. The exact functions of loop7 remain poorly understood. Here we show that loop7 of PiT2 is necessary for the transport of PiT2 protein to the cell surface. Further, loop7 is also related to the outgrowth of neurite in Neuro2A cells interacts with the light chain 1 of microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B). PiT2 with mutated MAP1B binding sites affect neurite outgrowth whereas Pi transport function deficient mutants of PiT2 do not. We also show that Drosophila dPiT interacts with microtubule-associated protein Futsch, and dPiT is crucial for the normal development of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). These results indicate that PiT2 might participate in the regulation of neuronal outgrowth by interacting with MAP1B and independently of its Pi transport function in the nervous system.

MAP1B Light Chain Modulates Synaptic Transmission via AMPA Receptor Intracellular Trapping

The regulated transport of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) to the synaptic membrane is a key mechanism to determine the strength of excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain. In this work, we uncovered a new role for the microtubule-associated protein MAP1B in modulating access of AMPARs to the postsynaptic membrane. Using mice and rats of either sex, we show that MAP1B light chain (LC) accumulates in the somatodendritic compartment of hippocampal neurons, where it forms immobile complexes on microtubules that limit vesicular transport. These complexes restrict AMPAR dendritic mobility, leading to the intracellular trapping of receptors and impairing their access to the dendritic surface and spines. Accordingly, increasing MAP1B-LC expression depresses AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission. This effect is specific for the GluA2 subunit of the AMPAR and requires glutamate receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) interaction with MAP1B-LC. Therefore, MAP1B-LC represents an alternative link between GRIP1-AMPARs and microtubules that does not result in productive transport, but rather limits AMPAR availability for synaptic insertion, with a direct impact on synaptic transmission.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ability of neurons to modify their synaptic connections, known as synaptic plasticity, is accepted as the cellular basis for learning and memory. One mechanism for synaptic plasticity is the regulated addition and removal of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) at excitatory synapses. In this study, we found that a microtubule-associated protein, MAP1B light chain (MAP1B-LC), participates in this process. MAP1B-LC forms immobile complexes along dendrites. These complexes limit intracellular vesicular trafficking and trap AMPARs inside the dendritic shaft. In this manner, MAP1B restricts the access of AMPARs to dendritic spines and the postsynaptic membrane, contributing to downregulating synaptic transmission.

Role of non-motile microtubule-associated proteins in virus trafficking

Viruses are entirely dependent on their ability to infect a host cell in order to replicate. To reach their site of replication as rapidly and efficiently as possible following cell entry, many have evolved elaborate mechanisms to hijack the cellular transport machinery to propel themselves across the cytoplasm. Long-range movements have been shown to involve motor proteins along microtubules (MTs) and direct interactions between viral proteins and dynein and/or kinesin motors have been well described. Although less well-characterized, it is also becoming increasingly clear that non-motile microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), including structural MAPs of the MAP1 and MAP2 families, and microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs), can also promote viral trafficking in infected cells, by mediating interaction of viruses with filaments and/or motor proteins, and modulating filament stability. Here we review our current knowledge on non-motile MAPs, their role in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and in viral trafficking during the early steps of infection.

Microtubule-associated protein 1b is required for shaping the neural tube

BACKGROUND

Shaping of the neural tube, the precursor of the brain and spinal cord, involves narrowing and elongation of the neural tissue, concomitantly with other morphogenetic changes that contribue to this process. In zebrafish, medial displacement of neural cells (neural convergence or NC), which drives the infolding and narrowing of the neural ectoderm, is mediated by polarized migration and cell elongation towards the dorsal midline. Failure to undergo proper NC results in severe neural tube defects, yet the molecular underpinnings of this process remain poorly understood.

RESULTS

We investigated here the role of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton in mediating NC in zebrafish embryos using the MT destabilizing and hyperstabilizing drugs nocodazole and paclitaxel respectively. We found that MTs undergo major changes in organization and stability during neurulation and are required for the timely completion of NC by promoting cell elongation and polarity. We next examined the role of Microtubule-associated protein 1B (Map1b), previously shown to promote MT dynamicity in axons. map1b is expressed earlier than previously reported, in the developing neural tube and underlying mesoderm. Loss of Map1b function using morpholinos (MOs) or δMap1b (encoding a truncated Map1b protein product) resulted in delayed NC and duplication of the neural tube, a defect associated with impaired NC. We observed a loss of stable MTs in these embryos that is likely to contribute to the NC defect. Lastly, we found that Map1b mediates cell elongation in a cell autonomous manner and polarized protrusive activity, two cell behaviors that underlie NC and are MT-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these data highlight the importance of MTs in the early morphogenetic movements that shape the neural tube and reveal a novel role for the MT regulator Map1b in mediating cell elongation and polarized cell movement in neural progenitor cells.

The role of microtubule-associated protein 1B in axonal growth and neuronal migration in the central nervous system

In this review, we discuss the role of microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) and its phosphorylation in axonal development and regeneration in the central nervous system. MAP1B exhibits similar functions during axonal development and regeneration. MAP1B and phosphorylated MAP1B in neurons and axons maintain a dynamic balance between cytoskeletal components, and regulate the stability and interaction of microtubules and actin to promote axonal growth, neural connectivity and regeneration in the central nervous system.

The light chain 1 subunit of the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) is responsible for Tiam1 binding and Rac1 activation in neuronal cells

Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) is a neuronal protein involved in the stabilization of microtubules both in the axon and somatodendritic compartments. Acute, genetic inactivation of MAP1B leads to delayed axonal outgrowth, most likely due to changes in the post-translational modification of tubulin subunits, which enhances microtubule polymerization. Furthermore, MAP1B deficiency is accompanied by abnormal actin microfilament polymerization and dramatic changes in the activity of small GTPases controlling the actin cytoskeleton. In this work, we showed that MAP1B interacts with a guanine exchange factor, termed Tiam1, which specifically activates Rac1. These proteins co-segregated in neurons, and interact in both heterologous expression systems and primary neurons. We dissected the molecular domains involved in the MAP1B-Tiam1 interaction, and demonstrated that pleckstrin homology (PH) domains in Tiam1 are responsible for MAP1B binding. Interestingly, only the light chain 1 (LC1) of MAP1B was able to interact with Tiam1. Moreover, it was able to increase the activity of the small GTPase, Rac1. These results suggest that the interaction between Tiam1 and MAP1B, is produced by the binding of LC1 with PH domains in Tiam1. The formation of such a complex impacts on the activation levels of Rac1 confirming a novel function of MAP1B related with the control of small GTPases. These results also support the idea of cross-talk between cytoskeleton compartments inside neuronal cells.

Microtubule association of a neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD through its binding to the light chain of MAP1B

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a vital role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity. One such RBP family, the neuronal Hu protein family, serves as an early marker of neuronal differentiation and targets several mRNAs containing adenine/uridine-rich elements. Recently, we reported that one of the neuronal Hu proteins, HuD stimulates cap-dependent translation through interactions with eIF4A and poly (A) tail. Nevertheless, little is known with respect to how neuronal Hu proteins contribute to the local translation of target mRNAs in neuronal differentiation. Here, we found that neuronal Hu proteins, but not the ubiquitously expressed HuR protein, directly interact with the light chain of microtubule-associated proteins MAP1B (LC1). We also show that HuD simultaneously binds both RNA and LC1 in vitro and that it tightly associates with microtubules in cells in an LC1-dependent manner, raising the possibility that HuD recruits target mRNAs to microtubules. These results uncover the neuronal binding partners for neuron-specific Hu proteins and suggest the involvement of Hu proteins in microtubule-mediated regulation of mRNA expression within neuronal processes.

Microtubule-associated protein 1B, a growth-associated and phosphorylated scaffold protein

Microtubule-associated protein 1B, MAP1B, is one of the major growth associated and cytoskeletal proteins in neuronal and glial cells. It is present as a full length protein or may be fragmented into a heavy chain and a light chain. It is essential to stabilize microtubules during the elongation of dendrites and neurites and is involved in the dynamics of morphological structures such as microtubules, microfilaments and growth cones. MAP1B function is modulated by phosphorylation and influences microtubule stability, microfilaments and growth cone motility. Considering its large size, several interactions with a variety of other proteins have been reported and there is increasing evidence that MAP1B plays a crucial role in the stability of the cytoskeleton and may have other cellular functions. Here we review molecular and functional aspects of this protein, evoke its role as a scaffold protein and have a look at several pathologies where the protein may be involved.

Heterotypic complex formation between subunits of microtubule-associated proteins 1A and 1B is due to interaction of conserved domains

The microtubule-associated proteins MAP1A and MAP1B are related but distinct multi-subunit protein complexes that consist of heavy and light chains. The predominant forms of these complexes are homotypic, i.e. they consist of a MAP1A heavy chain associated with MAP1A light chains or a MAP1B heavy chain associated with MAP1B light chains, respectively. In addition, MAP1A and MAP1B can exchange subunits and form heterotypic complexes consisting of a MAP1A heavy chain associated with MAP1B light chains which might play a role in a transition period of neuronal differentiation. Here we extend previous findings by confirming that heterotypic MAP1B heavy chain-MAP1A light chain complexes also exist in the developing murine brain. We show that these complexes form through interaction of homologous domains conserved in heavy and light chains of MAP1A and MAP1B. Likewise, conserved domains of the MAP1A and MAP1B light chains account for formation of light chain heterodimers. By yeast 2-hybrid analysis we located the light chain binding domain on the heavy chain to amino acids 211-508, thereby defining a new functional subdomain.

Gigaxonin-controlled degradation of MAP1B light chain is critical to neuronal survival

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a devastating sensory and motor neuropathy caused by mutations in the GAN gene, which encodes the ubiquitously expressed protein gigaxonin. Cytopathological features of GAN include axonal degeneration, with accumulation and aggregation of cytoskeletal components. Little is currently known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this recessive disorder. Here we show that gigaxonin controls protein degradation, and is essential for neuronal function and survival. We present evidence that gigaxonin binds to the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 through its amino-terminal BTB domain, while the carboxy-terminal kelch repeat domain interacts directly with the light chain (LC) of microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B). Overexpression of gigaxonin leads to enhanced degradation of MAP1B-LC, which can be antagonized by proteasome inhibitors. Ablation of gigaxonin causes a substantial accumulation of MAP1B-LC in GAN-null neurons. Moreover, we show that overexpression of MAP1B in wild-type cortical neurons leads to cell death characteristic of GAN-null neurons, whereas reducing MAP1B levels significantly improves the survival rate of null neurons. Our results identify gigaxonin as a ubiquitin scaffolding protein that controls MAP1B-LC degradation, and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying human neurodegenerative disorders.

The functional cooperation of MAP1A heavy chain and light chain 2 in the binding of microtubules

Microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) is a high-molecular-weight protein that is comprised of a heavy chain and a light chain (LC2) and is widely distributed along the microtubules in both mature neurons and glial cells. To illustrate the interaction among the MAP1A heavy chain, light chain, and microtubule, we prepared DNA constructs with Myc-, EGFP-, or DsRed-tags for full-length MAP1A DNA expressing whole MAP1A protein, two domains of MAP1A heavy chain, and light chain. Distribution patterns of various MAP1A domains as well as their interactions with microtubules were monitored in a non-neuronal COS7 and a neuronal Neuro2A cells. Our data revealed that a complete MAP1A protein, which contains both heavy chain and LC2, could be colocalized with microtubule networks not only in Neuro2A cells but also in transfected COS7 cells. Filamentous structures failed to be visualized along microtubules in COS7 cells transfected with MAP1A heavy chain or LC2 alone. Whereas, after introducing MAP1A heavy chain with LC2 into COS7 cells, both heavy chain and LC2 could be colocalized with microtubules. From our functional analysis, both MAP1A and its LC2 could protect microtubules against the challenge of nacodazol. Data collected from yeast two-hybrid assays of various MAP1A domains confirmed that the interaction of LC2 and NH2-terminal of MAP1A heavy chain is important for microtubule binding. From our analysis of MAP1A functional domains, we suggest that interactions between MAP1A heavy chain and LC2 are critical for the binding of microtubules.

Direct interaction between BKCa potassium channel and microtubule-associated protein 1A

The BKCa channel, a potassium channel that is allosterically activated by voltage and calcium, is expressed in both excitable and non-excitable cells. The channel plays an important role in regulating membrane excitability. The channel activity can be modulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation. Recently, hippocampal BKCa channels were shown to be directly modulated by assembly/disassembly of the submembranous actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report that the BKCa channel physically interacts with the light chain of microtubule associated protein 1A (MAP1A). The light chain was isolated in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human brain cDNA library. The specificity of the interaction was demonstrated in biochemical experiments utilizing GST fusion protein pulldown assays and reciprocal co-immunoprecipitations from rat brain. Furthermore, utilizing immunofluorescence, the BKCa channel and MAP1A co-localize in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum. These studies identify a novel interaction between the C-terminal tail of the BKCa channel and the light chain of MAP1A, which enables channel association with and modulation by the cytoskeleton.

Mapmodulin/leucine-rich acidic nuclear protein binds the light chain of microtubule-associated protein 1B and modulates neuritogenesis

We had previously described the leucine-rich acidic nuclear protein (LANP) as a candidate mediator of toxicity in the polyglutamine disease, spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). This was based on the observation that LANP binds ataxin-1, the protein involved in this disease, in a glutamine repeat-dependent manner. Furthermore, LANP is expressed abundantly in purkinje cells, the primary site of ataxin-1 pathology. Here we focused our efforts on understanding the neuronal properties of LANP. In undifferentiated neuronal cells LANP is predominantly a nuclear protein, requiring a bona fide nuclear localization signal to be imported into the nucleus. LANP translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during the process of neuritogenesis, interacts with the light chain of the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B), and modulates the effects of MAP1B on neurite extension. LANP thus could play a key role in neuronal development and/or neurodegeneration by its interactions with microtubule associated proteins.

Regulation of microtubule-associated proteins

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) function to regulate the assembly dynamics and organization of microtubule polymers. Upstream regulation of MAP activities is the major mechanism used by cells to modify and control microtubule assembly and organization. This review summarizes the functional activities of MAPs found in animal cells and discusses how these MAPs are regulated. Mechanisms controlling gene expression, isoform-specific expression, protein localization, phosphorylation, and degradation are discussed. Additional regulatory mechanisms include synergy or competition between MAPs and the activities of cofactors or binding partners. For each MAP it is likely that regulation in vivo reflects a composite of multiple regulatory mechanisms.

Microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) and MAP1B: light chains determine distinct functional properties

The microtubule-associated proteins 1A (MAP1A) and 1B (MAP1B) are distantly related protein complexes consisting of heavy and light chains and are thought to play a role in regulating the neuronal cytoskeleton, MAP1B during neuritogenesis and MAP1A in mature neurons. To elucidate functional differences between MAP1B and MAP1A and to determine the role of the light chain in the MAP1A protein complex, we chose to investigate the functional properties of the light chain of MAP1A (LC2) and compare them with the light chain of MAP1B (LC1). We found that LC2 binds to microtubules in vivo and in vitro and induces rapid polymerization of tubulin. A microtubule-binding domain in its NH(2) terminus was found to be necessary and sufficient for these activities. The analysis of LC1 revealed that it too bound to microtubules and induced tubulin polymerization via a crucial but structurally unrelated NH(2)-terminal domain. The two light chains differed, however, in their effects on microtubule bundling and stability in vivo. Furthermore, we identified actin filament binding domains located at the COOH terminus of LC2 and LC1 and obtained evidence that binding to actin filaments is attributable to direct interaction with actin. Our findings establish LC2 as a crucial determinant of MAP1A function, reveal LC2 as a potential linker of neuronal microtubules and microfilaments, and suggest that the postnatal substitution of MAP1B by MAP1A leads to expression of a protein with an overlapping but distinct set of functions.

Constructing inhibitory synapses

Control of nerve-cell excitability is crucial for normal brain function. Two main groups of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors--GABA(A) and glycine receptors--fulfil a significant part of this role. To mediate fast synaptic inhibition effectively, these receptors need to be localized and affixed opposite nerve terminals that release the appropriate neurotransmitter at multiple sites on postsynaptic neurons. But for this to occur, neurons require intracellular anchoring molecules, as well as mechanisms that ensure the efficient turnover and transport of mature, functional inhibitory synaptic receptor proteins. This review describes the dynamic regulation of synaptic GABA(A) and glycine receptors and discusses recent advances in this rapidly evolving field.

Microtubule-associated protein 1 subunit expression in primary cultures of rat brain

Microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) and MAP1B are developmentally regulated proteins linked to axon formation. They each consist of a unique heavy chain and three common light chains. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to qualitatively assess the variability in MAP1 subunit expression between individual cells. The ratio of light chain 1 to MAP1 heavy chain varies greatly between cells with some cells expressing MAP1A heavy chain in the apparent absence of light chain 1. The results imply the existence of MAP1 molecules that differ in light chain composition. Transfection experiments indicate that the light chains differ in microtubule binding activity and subcellular targeting activity. This further suggests that the regulation of MAP1 light chain content can control MAP1 function.