Differential binding regulation of microtubule-associated proteins MAP1A, MAP1B, and MAP2 by tubulin polyglutamylation

The major neuronal post-translational modification of tubulin, polyglutamylation, can act as a molecular potentiometer to modulate microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) binding as a function of the polyglutamyl chain length. The relative affinity of Tau, MAP2, and kinesin has been shown to be optimal for tubulin modified by approximately 3 glutamyl units. Using blot overlay assays, we have tested the ability of polyglutamylation to modulate the interaction of two other structural MAPs, MAP1A and MAP1B, with tubulin. MAP1A and MAP2 display distinct behavior in terms of tubulin binding; they do not compete with each other, even when the polyglutamyl chains of tubulin are removed, indicating that they have distinct binding sites on tubulin. Binding of MAP1A and MAP1B to tubulin is also controlled by polyglutamylation and, although the modulation of MAP1B binding resembles that of MAP2, we found that polyglutamylation can exert a different mode of regulation toward MAP1A. Interestingly, although the affinity of the other MAPs tested so far decreases sharply for tubulins carrying long polyglutamyl chains, the affinity of MAP1A for these tubulins is maintained at a significant level. This differential regulation exerted by polyglutamylation toward different MAPs might facilitate their selective recruitment into distinct microtubule populations, hence modulating their functional properties.

Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.

Microtubule associated protein MAP1A is an actin-binding and crosslinking protein

High molecular weight microtubule-associated proteins MAP1A and MAP2 form thin projections from microtubule surfaces and have been implicated in crosslinking microtubules and other cytoskeletal components. We have purified native MAP1A from bovine brain and have studied its interaction with G- and F-actin. Using a solid-phase immunoassay we show that MAP1A binds in a dose-dependent manner to both G-actin and F-actin. Addition of MAP1A to F-actin causes gelation of F-actin and SDS-PAGE analysis shows that MAP1A co-sediments with the gelled network, under conditions where F-actin alone does not pellet. The low apparent viscosity of F-actin is markedly increased in the presence of MAP1A, suggesting that MAP1A can crosslink F-actin. Co-incubation experiments indicate that MAP1A and MAP2 may bind to common or overlapping sites on the actin molecule. The widespread distribution of MAP1A and its interaction with microtubules, actin, and intermediate filaments suggests that it may constitute an important determinant of neuronal and non-neuronal cellular morphology.

Dephosphorylated but not phosphorylated microtubule associated protein MAP1B binds to microfilaments

We have reported that purified native MAP1B interacts with microtubules but not with microfilaments [Pedrotti and Islam, Cell Motil. Cytoskel. (1995) 30, 301-309]. However, MAP1B can be phosphorylated at multiple sites by casein kinase 11 (CKII) and proline-directed protein kinases (PDPK) and immunoblotting studies show that purified native MAP1B is phosphorylated at least at two CKII sites and at one PDPK site [Pedrotti et al., Biochemistry (1996) 35, 3016-3023]. We now show that phosphorylation affects the in vitro binding of MAP1B with microfilaments. Native MAP1B does not bind to microfilaments but after treatment with alkaline phosphatase the dephosphorylated MAP1B binds and cosediments with microfilaments. Dephosphorylation kinetics suggest that the PDPK site, but not CKII sites, may negatively regulate the interaction with F-actin. The ability of dephosphorylated MAP1B to crosslink microfilaments was also examined and showed that MAP1B exhibits only a weak crosslinking of F-actin when compared with MAP2.

Differences in the regulation of microtubule dynamics by microtubule-associated proteins MAP1B and MAP2

The regulation of microtubule dynamics in vitro by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) was examined, using purified porcine MAP1B and MAP2. MAP1B has a significantly smaller effect on the observed critical concentration for microtubule assembly than MAP2. Assembly is faster in the presence of either MAP, and the resulting microtubules are shorter, indicating that nucleation is substantially promoted by the MAPs. Both MAPs stabilise the microtubule lattice as observed from podophyllotoxin-induced disassembly, but the effect of MAP1B is weaker than the effect of MAP2. At steady-state of assembly MAP1B still allows microtubule dynamic instability to occur as inferred from microtubule length changes. The comparison of the effects of MAP1B and MAP2 indicates that the reduction of the observed critical concentration is attributable to the reduction of the depolymerisation rate and correlates with the extent of suppression of dynamic instability. Numerical simulations illustrate that microtubule dynamics are strongly influenced by relatively small changes in the strength of a limited subset of subunit interactions in the lattice. The observed characteristic differences between the MAPs may be important for the regulation of distinct populations of microtubules which coexist in the same cell, where differences in stability and dynamics may be essential for their different spatial roles as, for example, in developing neurons.

Characterization of microtubule-associated protein MAP1B: phosphorylation state, light chains, and binding to microtubules

We have recently described a procedure for the purification of microtubule associated protein 1B (MAP1B) from calf brain [Pedrotti, B., & Islam K. (1995) Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 30, 301-309], and this study further characterizes the purified protein and its interaction with microtubules. We show that purified MAP1B (1) is thermostable; (2) is mainly phosphorylated at the casein kinase II (CKII) sites but only partially phosphorylated at the proline-directed protein kinase (PDPK) sites; (3) both the CKII and PDPK sites can be dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase; and (4) dephosphorylation results in an increased mobility on SDS-PAGE gels. The ability of MAP1B to interact with microtubules was also examined and shows that (1) phosphorylated (1B-P), alkaline phosphatase-treated (1B-AP), and heat-treated (1B-P), alkaline phosphatase-treated (1B-AP), and heat-treated (1B-HT) MAP1B bind to taxol-stabilized microtubules; (2) 1 mol of 1B-P, 1B-AP, or 1B-HT each binds about 13-14 tubulin dimers; (3) light chain interaction with MAP1B heavy chain is not affected by AP- or heat-treatment; (4) MAP1B can be displaced from taxol-stabilized microtubules by titration with salt; (5) higher salt concentrations are required to displace 1B-AP compared with 1B-P from taxol-stabilized microtubules; and (6) MAP2 is able to displace both 1B-P and 1B-AP from taxol-stabilized microtubules. The role of phosphorylation in regulating MAP1B interaction with microtubules and light chains is discussed.

Interactions of microtubule-associated protein MAP2 with unpolymerized and polymerized tubulin and actin using a 96-well microtiter plate solid-phase immunoassay

A solid-phase immunoassay is used to study the protein-protein interactions between microtubule-associated protein MAP2 and the cytoskeletal proteins tubulin and actin. The assay can be performed on 96-well microtiter plates and can be used to study the interactions with both subunit proteins and their respective polymers, microtubules and microfilaments. The microtiter format allows a large number of samples to be processed, and a number of conditions can be varied. In this solid-phase immunoassay MAP2 bound to microtubules/microfilaments and tubulin dimers/G-actin in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the bound MAP2 was not dissociated from the filaments even at high NaCl concentrations, while simultaneous addition of NaCl diminished MAP2 binding to these proteins. MgCl2 was 1 order of magnitude more efficient in decreasing MAP2 binding compared with NaCl, suggesting that MAP2 may act by "screening" the electrostatic repulsion between tubulin dimers. The role of MAP2 in cross-linking microfilaments and microtubules was also examined. Microtubule/tubulin-bound MAP2 showed a diminished ability to bind to both microfilaments and G-actin, while microfilament/G-actin-bound MAP2 was able to bind efficiently to both microtubules and tubulin dimers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microtubule associated protein 1B (MAP1B) promotes efficient tubulin polymerisation in vitro

The effect of MAP1B on tubulin polymerisation has been examined in reconstitution experiments using purified tubulin and MAP1B. Under the assembly conditions used, tubulin alone was incapable of polymerising, but addition of MAP1B resulted in rapid assembly into microtubules. The kinetics of MAP1B-promoted microtubule assembly examined using pseudo-first-order plots show that assembly is described by a single reaction rate. The calculated association rate constant for MAP1B was about 200 x 1096) M-1.s-1 and this constant was one order of magnitude higher when compared with that for MAP2-promoted assembly.

Purified native microtubule associated protein MAP1A: kinetics of microtubule assembly and MAP1A/tubulin stoichiometry

In a recent study, we have shown that sulfonate buffers affect microtubule assembly and alter microtubule protein composition (Pedrotti et al., 1993). In particular, we noted that PIPES buffer leads to removal of MAP1 from the microtubule surface without affecting the association of MAP2 with microtubules. This observation has been exploited to develop a simple purification procedure for MAP1A using twice-cycled microtubule protein prepared from whole bovine brain. A single chromatographic step on an ion-exchange column results in > 90% pure MAP1A. Using purified MAP1A, we now show that MAP1A (a) binds in a dose-dependent manner to unpolymerized tubulin and assembled microtubules, (b) binds 13-15 mol of tubulin dimers in assembled microtubules, (c) promotes both nucleation and elongation of tubulin, and (d) promotes incorporation of tubulin dimers at low GTP concentrations and of tubulin dimers and oligomers at high GTP concentrations. MAP1A lowers the critical concentration for assembly, and MAP1A-promoted incorporation of dimers has an association rate constant (K+1) of 39.3 x 10(6) M-1s-1 and a dissociation rate constant (K-1) of 15 s-1; both constants are about 2-3-fold higher compared with MAP2.

Microtubule assembly is directly affected by MPP(+)in vitro

The microtubular system is emerging as a cell target in neurodegeneration evoked by the Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its toxic metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). Looking for a direct effect of the neurotoxin on microtubules, we have undertaken an in vitro study by using microtubule protein purified from bovine brain. We show that MPP(+), but not MPTP, modifies the initial rate and the critical concentration of assembly without affecting microtubule ultrastructure. These findings strengthen the hypothesis for the role of microtubules in the transduction of MPP(+)neurotoxic effect and, probably, in neuronal cell death.

Purification of microtubule associated protein MAP1B from bovine brain: MAP1B binds to microtubules but not to microfilaments

A simple procedure for the purification of MAP1B from bovine brain is described. The procedure requires two ion-exchange chromatographic steps and results in > 95% pure MAP1B with a typical recovery of about 25-30 mg/kg of brain tissue. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified protein shows that it is composed of a high molecular mass (330kDa) heavy chain and two low molecular mass (32kDa and 18kDa) associated light chains. The estimated stoichiometry of heavy chain:light chain is 1:2 and 1:0.2 mole/mole protein for the 32kDa and 18kDa light chains respectively. Western blotting, using monospecific monoclonal antibodies, shows that only the heavy chain is recognised by the anti-MAP1B antibody and is not immunostained by either the MAP1A or MAP2 monoclonal antibodies. Purified MAP1B binds efficiently to both unpolymerised tubulin and polymerised tubulin and co-sediments with taxol-stabilised microtubules. Co-incubation experiments show that MAP2 can compete with MAP1B binding to microtubules, indicating common or overlapping sites. However, MAP1B binds to neither G-actin nor F-actin nor co-sediments with F-actin, suggesting that it is not an actin-binding protein.

Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_{target} of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_{target}>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

Modulation of microtubule shape in vitro by high molecular weight microtubule associated proteins MAP1A, MAP1B, and MAP2

The effect of microtubule associated proteins on microtubule shape has been investigated in reconstitution experiments using purified tubulin and purified MAP1A, MAP1B, and MAP2. Microtubules assembled in the presence of these MAPs were fixed with 0.1% glutaraldehyde and, after negative staining, were examined by electron microscopy. The results show that MAP1A microtubules were generally short and "straight' while those assembled with MAP1B were longer and "bendy'. MAP2 microtubules showed both types of morphologies even though straight microtubules were more abundant. These data suggest that MAPs may modulate not only microtubule dynamics but also microtubule shape which may be important in their spatial distribution and/or role in specific neuronal areas.

Sulphonate buffers affect the recovery of microtubule-associated proteins MAP1 and MAP2: evidence that MAP1A promotes microtubule assembly

The influence of two commonly used sulphonate buffers, PIPES and MES, on the in vitro assembly of bovine brain microtubule protein was examined. Microtubule assembly was monitored by turbimetry and, after centrifugation, the polymerised protein was analysed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Assembly in MES when compared with PIPES resulted in a higher recovery of microtubule proteins at both pH 6.4 and pH 6.9 and in an altered protein composition. The buffer pH affected the total amount of protein polymerised but did not significantly affect the protein composition. At both pH conditions the recovery of HMW-MAPs was markedly increased in MES buffer and this increase was mostly due to an increase in the amount of MAP1.

Measurement of CP-violating asymmetries in B0 decays to CP eigenstates

We present measurements of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in neutral B decays to several CP eigenstates. The measurement uses a data sample of 23x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BbarB decays collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC. In this sample, we find events in which one neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in a CP eigenstate containing charmonium and the flavor of the other neutral B meson is determined from its decay products. The amplitude of the CP-violating asymmetry, which in the standard model is proportional to sin2beta, is derived from the decay time distributions in such events. The result is sin2beta = 0.34+/-0.20 (stat)+/-0.05 (syst).

Estramustine phosphate but not estramustine inhibits the interaction of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) with actin filaments

The effect of estramustine and estramustine phosphate (EP) on the interaction of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) with actin has been examined. We show that (a) neither estramustine nor EP influences actin polymerisation (b) EP, but not estramustine, reduces the amount of MAP2 which co-sediments with F-actin in a dose-dependent manner and (c) EP decreases the MAP2-induced crosslinking of F-actin into gelled networks. The data suggest, that unlike estramustine, EP interacts with MAP2 and modifies its interaction not only with microtubules but also with actin filaments.

Molecular determinants of the physicochemical properties of a critical prion protein region comprising residues 106-126

Prion diseases are marked by the cerebral accumulation of conformationally modified forms of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)), known as PrP(res). The region comprising the residues 106-126 of human PrP seems to have a key role in this conformational conversion, because a synthetic peptide homologous with this sequence (PrP106-126) adopts different secondary structures in different environments. To investigate the molecular determinants of the physicochemical characteristics of PrP106-126, we synthesized a series of analogues including PrP106-126 H(D), PrP106-126 A and PrP106-126 K, with l-His-->d-His, His-->Ala and His-->Lys substitutions respectively at position 111, PrP106-126 NH(2) with amidation of the C-terminus, PrP106-126 V with an Ala-->Val substition at position 117, and PrP106-126 VNH(2) with an Ala-->Val substitution at position 117 and amidation of the C-terminus. The analysis of the secondary structure and aggregation properties of PrP106-126 and its analogues showed the following. (1) His(111) is central to the conformational changes of PrP peptides. (2) Amidation of the C-terminal Gly(126) yields a predominantly random coil structure, abolishes the molecular polymorphism and decreases the propensity of PrP106-126 to generate amyloid fibrils. (3) PrP106-126 V, carrying an Ala-->Val substitution at position 117, does not demonstrate a fibrillogenic ability superior to that of PrP106-126. However, the presence of Val at position 117 increases the aggregation properties of the amidated peptide. (4) Amyloid fibrils are not required for neurotoxicity because the effects of PrP106-126 NH(2) on primary neuronal cultures were similar to those of the wild-type sequence. Conversely, astroglial proliferation is related to the presence of amyloid fibrils, suggesting that astrogliosis in prion encephalopathies without amyloid deposits is a mediated effect rather than a direct effect of disease-specific PrP isoforms.

beta PP and Tau interaction. A possible link between amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease

Extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils and intraneuronal accumulation of paired helical filaments (PHFs) are the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The major constituent of amyloid fibrils is a 39- to 43-residue peptide (termed A beta), which is derived from a 695- to 770-amino-acid precursor protein (termed beta PP). The main component of PHFs identified so far is the microtubule-associated protein tau. Yet, there is no direct evidence of interconnection between these two pathological states. We report here that antibodies to an epitope located between residues 713 and 723 of beta PP770 (ie, the transmembrane region of beta PP distal to A beta) consistently labeled PHFs in the brain of Alzheimer patients. Solid phase immunoassay showed that a peptide homologous to residues 713 to 730 of beta PP770 bound tau proteins. This beta PP peptide spontaneously formed fibrils in vitro and, in the presence of tau, generated dense fibrillary assemblies containing both molecules. These data suggest that beta PP or beta PP fragments containing the tau binding site are involved in the pathogenesis of PHFs in Alzheimer's disease.