Molecular genetic approaches to microtubule-associated protein function

• Gonzalez-Billault, C. ^[1] ; Ávila, J. ^[1]
  1. [1] Center of Molecular Biology "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Aut6noma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 15, Nº. 4, 2000, págs. 1177-1183
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Protein function in vivo can be studied by deleting (knock-out) the gene that encodes it, and search for the consequences. This procedure involves different technologies, including recombinant DNA procedures, cell biology methods and histological and immunocytochemical analysis.

    In this work we have reviewed these procedures when they have been applied to ascertain the function of several microtubule-associated proteins. These proteins hav e been previously involved, through in vitro experiments, in having a role in the microtubul e stabilization. Here, we will summarize the generation and characterization of different microtubule-associated protein knock-out mice. Special attention will be paid to MAP1B knock-out mice. Amongst the different MAPs knock-out mice these show the strongest phenotype, the mo st likely for being MAP1B, the MAP that is expressed earliest in neurogenesis.

    Molecular genetics could be considered as a valid and usefu l procedure to truly establish the in vivo functions of a protein, although it is necessary to be aware of possible artifacts such as the generation of some kinds of RNA alternative splicing. To avoid this the best strategy to be used must consider the deletion of the exon that contains the functional domains of the protein.