Which microtubule-associated protein (MAP) stabilizes microtubules in neurons?
Microtubule associated proteins of structural type stabilize filaments by binding along walls and bridging protofilaments reducing catastrophe and increasing flexural rigidity. Members include MAP2 and tau families as well as MAP4 sharing homologous microtubule binding repeat domains but exhibiting expression differences: tau enriched in axons MAP2 in dendrites MAP4 broadly in non neuronal tissues and also neurons providing versatility. Tau and MAP2 classically promote assembly and bundling reducing catastrophe promoting rescue and increasing persistence length. MAP4 participates similarly for
Ref: Dehmelt & Halpain, Genome Biol 2005 – MAP family stabilization including MAP4 and MAP2.