Microtubule-associated protein 2 or MAP2 is encoded by the Map2 (or Mtap2) gene. MAP2 belongs to the family of thermostable proteins associated with microtubules. It is an abundant neuronal cytoskeletal protein that binds to tubulin and stabilizes microtubules against depolymerization. It also has a stiffening effect on microtubules. MAP2 is shown to be essential for the development and maintenance of neuronal morphology. Three primary isoforms of MAP2, the high molecular weight MAP2a and MAP2b, and the low molecular weight MAP2c (resulting from alternate splicing of the MAP2 gene) have been identified in neurons. The low molecular weight isoform, MAP2c, is expressed in developing brain and is down-regulated during brain maturation, whereas the high molecular weight MAP2b is expressed in both developing and adult brain. The MAP2a appears only after brain maturation. All these forms bind to microtubules through a domain near the carboxyl terminus that contains either three or four simil

MAP2 [SMI52]

Microtubule-associated protein 2 or MAP2 is encoded by the Map2 (or Mtap2) gene. MAP2 belongs to the family of thermostable proteins associated with microtubules. It is an abundant neuronal cytoskeletal protein that binds to tubulin and stabilizes microtubules against depolymerization. It also has a stiffening effect on microtubules. MAP2 is shown to be essential for the development and maintenance of neuronal morphology. Three primary isoforms of MAP2, the high molecular weight MAP2a and MAP2b, and the low molecular weight MAP2c (resulting from alternate splicing of the MAP2 gene) have been identified in neurons. The low molecular weight isoform, MAP2c, is expressed in developing brain and is down-regulated during brain maturation, whereas the high molecular weight MAP2b is expressed in both developing and adult brain. The MAP2a appears only after brain maturation. All these forms bind to microtubules through a domain near the carboxyl terminus that contains either three or four similar repeats of a 31-amino-acid motif. MAP2 can be phosphorylated at serine residues in K-X-G-S motifs by MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase (MARK1 or MARK2) that causes its detachment from microtubules and results in their disassembly.

MAP2 [SMI52]