MAP6 proteins were first described as microtubule-stabilizing agents, whose properties were thought to be essential for neuronal development and maintenance of complex neuronal networks. However, deletion of all MAP6 isoforms in MAP6 KO mice does not lead to dramatic morphological aberrations of the brain but rather to alterations in multiple neurotransmissions and severe behavioural impairments. A search for protein partners of MAP6 proteins identified Tctex1 - a dynein light chain with multiple non-microtubule-related functions. The involvement of Tctex1 in calcium signalling led to investigate it in MAP6 KO neurons. In this study, we show that functional Cav 2.2/N-type calcium channels are deficient in MAP6 KO neurons, due to improper location. We also show that MAP6 proteins interact directly with both Tctex1 and the C-terminus of Cav 2.2/N-type calcium channels. A balance of these two interactions seems to be crucial for MAP6 to modulate calcium signalling in neurons.
Keywords: hippocampal neurons; in vitro interactions; microtubules; plasma membrane; vesicles; yeast two-hybrid.
© 2017 The Authors. European Journal of Neuroscience published by Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.