Armas-Portela, R , PARRALES BORRERO, MIGUEL ÁNGEL, Albar, JP , Martinez-A, C , Avila, J
No
Exp. Cell Res.
Article
Científica
3.256
2.163
01/05/1999
000080175300004
We have used a polyclonal antibody (Ab196) that specifically recognizes the beta II tubulin isotype to examine the subcellular distribution and properties of microtubules enriched in this isotype. Antibody specificity was tested by a method that involves the analysis of its interaction with individual beta isotypes. Using photoimaging analysis, we observed beta II tubulin-enriched microtubules in the perinuclear region, as well as in the microtubules close to the periphery of interphase cells. The observed sorting of beta II-enriched microtubules together with the reported increased levels of beta II tubulin in taxol-resistant cells (IM. Haber et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270, 31269-31275) prompted us to study the behavior of microtubules enriched in this isotype after different depolymerizing treatments. After cold or nocodazol treatments, beta II-enriched microtubules anchored at the centrosome and at the cell periphery were observed. In addition, cold-resistant microtubules were marked mainly by the specific anti-beta II tubulin antibody but not by anti-acetylated alpha tubulin, suggesting the presence of different stable microtubule subsets enriched in particular tubulin isoforms. (C) 1999 Academic Press.
beta II tubulin; microtubule cold-stability; microtubule depolymerizing drug resistance