CLASPs are CLIP-115 and -170 associating proteins involved in the regional regulation of microtubule dynamics in motile fibroblasts

Anna Akhmanova, Casper C. Hoogenraad, Ksenija Drabek, Tatiana Stepanova, Bjorn Dortland, Ton Verkerk, Wim Vermeulen, Boudewijn M. Burgering, Chris I. De Zeeuw, Frank Grosveld, Niels Galjart*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

351 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

CLIP-170 and CLIP-115 are cytoplasmic linker proteins that associate specifically with the ends of growing microtubules and may act as anti-catastrophe factors. Here, we have isolated two CLIP-associated proteins (CLASPs), which are homologous to the Drosophila Orbit/Mast microtubule-associated protein. CLASPs bind CLIPs and microtubules, colocalize with the CLIPs at microtubule distal ends, and have microtubule-stabilizing effects in transfected cells. After serum induction, CLASPs relocalize to distal segments of microtubules at the leading edge of motile fibroblasts. We provide evidence that this asymmetric CLASP distribution is mediated by PI3-kinase and GSK-3β. Antibody injections suggest that CLASP2 is required for the orientation of stabilized microtubules toward the leading edge. We propose that CLASPs are involved in the local regulation of microtubule dynamics in response to positional cues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)923-935
Number of pages13
JournalCell
Volume104
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Mar 2001

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