First Author | Chang L | Year | 2003 |
Journal | Dev Cell | Volume | 4 |
Issue | 4 | Pages | 521-33 |
PubMed ID | 12689591 | Mgi Jnum | J:109559 |
Mgi Id | MGI:3629278 | Doi | 10.1016/s1534-5807(03)00094-7 |
Citation | Chang L, et al. (2003) JNK1 is required for maintenance of neuronal microtubules and controls phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins. Dev Cell 4(4):521-33 |
abstractText | Microtubules (MTs) play an important role in elaboration and maintenance of axonal and dendritic processes. MT dynamics are modulated by MT-associated proteins (MAPs), whose activities are regulated by protein phosphorylation. We found that a member of the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase (JNK) subgroup of MAP kinases, JNK1, is involved in regulation of MT dynamics in neuronal cells. Jnk1(-/-) mice exhibit disrupted anterior commissure tract formation and a progressive loss of MTs within axons and dendrites. MAP2 and MAP1B polypeptides are hypophosphorylated in Jnk1(-/-) brains, resulting in compromised ability to bind MTs and promote their assembly. These results suggest that JNK1 is required for maintaining the cytoskeletal integrity of neuronal cells and is a critical regulator of MAP activity and MT assembly. |