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Microtubule-associated Proteins
In cell biology, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are proteins that interact with the microtubules of the cellular cytoskeleton. MAPs are integral to: the stability of the cell and its internal structures and the transport of components within the cell Function MAPs bind to the tubulin subunits that make up microtubules to regulate their stability. A large variety of MAPs have been identified in many different cell types, and they have been found to carry out a wide range of functions. These include both stabilizing and destabilizing microtubules, guiding microtubules towards specific cellular locations, cross-linking microtubules and mediating the interactions of microtubules with other proteins in the cell. Within the cell, MAPs bind directly to the tubulin dimers of microtubules. This binding can occur with either polymerized or depolymerized tubulin, and in most cases leads to the stabilization of microtubule structure, further encouraging polymerization. Usually, it is t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cell Biology
Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and functioning of organisms. Cell biology is the study of structural and functional units of cells. Cell biology encompasses both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and has many subtopics which may include the study of cell metabolism, cell communication, cell cycle, biochemistry, and cell composition. The study of cells is performed using several microscopy techniques, cell culture, and cell fractionation. These have allowed for and are currently being used for discoveries and research pertaining to how cells function, ultimately giving insight into understanding larger organisms. Knowing the components of cells and how cells work is fundamental to all biological sciences while also being essential for research in biomedical fields ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAPT
The tau proteins (abbreviated from tubulin associated unit) are a group of six highly soluble protein isoforms produced by alternative splicing from the gene ''MAPT'' ( microtubule-associated protein tau). They have roles primarily in maintaining the stability of microtubules in axons and are abundant in the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), where the cerebral cortex has the highest abundance. They are less common elsewhere but are also expressed at very low levels in CNS astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Pathologies and dementias of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are associated with tau proteins that have become hyperphosphorylated insoluble aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles. The tau proteins were identified in 1975 as heat-stable proteins essential for microtubule assembly, and since then they have been characterized as intrinsically disordered proteins. Function Microtubule stabilization Tau proteins are foun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAPRE3
Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAPRE3'' gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the RP/EB family of genes. The protein localizes to the cytoplasmic microtubule Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and provide structure and shape to eukaryotic cells. Microtubules can be as long as 50 micrometres, as wide as 23 to 27 nm and have an inner diameter between 11 an ... network and binds APCL, a homolog of the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor gene. References Further reading * * * * * * * * * * {{gene-2-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAPRE2
Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAPRE2'' gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b .... Function The protein encoded by this gene shares significant homology to the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein-binding EB1 gene family. The function of this protein is unknown; however, its homology suggests involvement in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancers and proliferative control of normal cells. This gene may belong to the intermediate/early gene family, involved in the signal transduction cascade downstream of the TCR. Interactions MAPRE2 has been shown to interact with APC. References Further reading * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{gene-18-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAPRE1
Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAPRE1'' gene. Function The protein encoded by this gene was first identified by its binding to the APC ( Adenomatous polyposis coli) protein which is often mutated in familial and sporadic forms of colorectal cancer. Immunofluorescence has demonstrated that EB1 localizes to the centrosome, mitotic spindle, and distal tips of cytoplasmic microtubules. Throughout the cell cycle, EB1 proteins situate on the microtubule plus ends, which is why EB1 is categorized as a microtubule plus end tracking protein(+TIP protein). The protein also associates with components of the dynactin complex and the intermediate chain of cytoplasmic dynein. Because of these associations, it is thought that this protein is involved in the regulation of microtubule structures and chromosome stability. This gene is a member of the RP/EB family. Interactions MAPRE1 has been shown to interact with T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAP7
Ensconsin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAP7'' gene. Function The product of this gene is a microtubule-associated protein that is predominantly expressed in cells of epithelial origin. Microtubule-associated proteins are thought to be involved in microtubule dynamics, which is essential for cell polarization and differentiation. This protein has been shown to be able to stabilize microtubules, and may serve to modulate microtubule functions. Studies of the related mouse protein also suggested an essential role in microtubule function required for spermatogenesis. Interactions MAP7 has been shown to interact with TRPV4 Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 is an ion channel protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TRPV4'' gene. The ''TRPV4'' gene encodes TRPV4, initially named "vanilloid-receptor related osmotically activated channe .... References Further reading * * * * * * * * * * {{gene-6-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MAP4
Microtubule-associated protein 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAP4'' gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a major non-neuronal microtubule-associated protein. This protein contains a domain similar to the microtubule-binding domains of neuronal microtubule-associated protein ( MAP2) and microtubule-associated protein tau ( MAPT/TAU). This protein promotes microtubule assembly, and has been shown to counteract destabilization of interphase microtubule catastrophe promotion. Cyclin B was found to interact with this protein, which targets cell division cycle 2 ( CDC2) kinase to microtubules. The phosphorylation of this protein affects microtubule properties and cell cycle progression. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been observed, the full-length nature of three of which are supported. uMAP4, the ubiquitous isoform of MAP4, functions in the architecture and positioning of the mitotic spindle in human cells. o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in short-term memory, remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include primary progressive aphasia, problems with language, Orientation (mental), disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, self-neglect, and challenging behaviour, behavioral issues. As a person's condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the typical life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years. The cause of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. There are many environmental and genetic risk factors associated with its development. The strongest genetic risk factor is from an alle ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel (PTX), sold under the brand name Taxol among others, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. This includes ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer, and pancreatic cancer. It is administered by intravenous injection. There is also an albumin-bound formulation. Common side effects include hair loss, bone marrow suppression, numbness, allergic reactions, muscle pains, and diarrhea. Other serious side effects include heart problems, increased risk of infection, and lung inflammation. There are concerns that use during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Paclitaxel is in the taxane family of medications. It works by interference with the normal function of microtubules during cell division. Paclitaxel was first isolated in 1971 from the Pacific yew and approved for medical use in 1993. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It has been ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tau Protein
The tau proteins (abbreviated from tubulin associated unit) are a group of six highly soluble protein isoforms produced by alternative splicing from the gene ''MAPT'' (microtubule-associated protein tau). They have roles primarily in maintaining the stability of microtubules in axons and are abundant in the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), where the cerebral cortex has the highest abundance. They are less common elsewhere but are also expressed at very low levels in CNS astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Pathologies and dementias of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are associated with tau proteins that have become hyperphosphorylated insoluble aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles. The tau proteins were identified in 1975 as heat-stable proteins essential for microtubule assembly, and since then they have been characterized as intrinsically disordered proteins. Function Microtubule stabilization Tau proteins are found mo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
N-terminal End
The N-terminus (also known as the amino-terminus, NH2-terminus, N-terminal end or amine-terminus) is the start of a protein or polypeptide, referring to the free amine group (-NH2) located at the end of a polypeptide. Within a peptide, the amine group is bonded to the carboxylic group of another amino acid, making it a chain. That leaves a free carboxylic group at one end of the peptide, called the C-terminus, and a free amine group on the other end called the N-terminus. By convention, peptide sequences are written N-terminus to C-terminus, left to right (in LTR writing systems). This correlates the translation direction to the text direction, because when a protein is translated from messenger RNA, it is created from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, as amino acids are added to the carboxyl end of the protein. Chemistry Each amino acid has an amine group and a carboxylic group. Amino acids link to one another by peptide bonds which form through a dehydration reaction tha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
