Developmental Cell
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2003, Pages 521-533
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Article
JNK1 Is Required for Maintenance of Neuronal Microtubules and Controls Phosphorylation of Microtubule-Associated Proteins

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Abstract

Microtubules (MTs) play an important role in elaboration and maintenance of axonal and dendritic processes. MT dynamics are modulated by MT-associated proteins (MAPs), whose activities are regulated by protein phosphorylation. We found that a member of the c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) subgroup of MAP kinases, JNK1, is involved in regulation of MT dynamics in neuronal cells. Jnk1−/− mice exhibit disrupted anterior commissure tract formation and a progressive loss of MTs within axons and dendrites. MAP2 and MAP1B polypeptides are hypophosphorylated in Jnk1−/− brains, resulting in compromised ability to bind MTs and promote their assembly. These results suggest that JNK1 is required for maintaining the cytoskeletal integrity of neuronal cells and is a critical regulator of MAP activity and MT assembly.

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