| First Author | Latremoliere A | Year | 2018 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 7 | Pages | 1865-1879.e9 |
| PubMed ID | 30110642 | Mgi Jnum | J:270401 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6278491 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.07.029 |
| Citation | Latremoliere A, et al. (2018) Neuronal-Specific TUBB3 Is Not Required for Normal Neuronal Function but Is Essential for Timely Axon Regeneration. Cell Rep 24(7):1865-1879.e9 |
| abstractText | We generated a knockout mouse for the neuronal-specific beta-tubulin isoform Tubb3 to investigate its role in nervous system formation and maintenance. Tubb3(-/-) mice have no detectable neurobehavioral or neuropathological deficits, and upregulation of mRNA and protein of the remaining beta-tubulin isotypes results in equivalent total beta-tubulin levels in Tubb3(-/-) and wild-type mice. Despite similar levels of total beta-tubulin, adult dorsal root ganglia lacking TUBB3 have decreased growth cone microtubule dynamics and a decreased neurite outgrowth rate of 22% in vitro and in vivo. The effect of the 22% slower growth rate is exacerbated for sensory recovery, where fibers must reinnervate the full volume of the skin to recover touch function. Overall, these data reveal that, while TUBB3 is not required for formation of the nervous system, it has a specific role in the rate of peripheral axon regeneration that cannot be replaced by other beta-tubulins. |
