Expression of microtubule-associated proteins MAP2 and tau in cultured rat brain oligodendrocytes
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes in culture are characterized by large membranous sheets containing an elaborate network of microtubules. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) participate in microtubule stability and the regulation of the cellular architecture. We have investigated the expression of two major groups of MAPs, MAP2 and tau, in cultured rat brain oligodendrocytes. Alternatively spliced isoforms of mRNAs encoding MAP2 and tau were assessed by means of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction using a newly designed set of MAP2- and tau-specific primers. The data were compared with data obtained with cultures of rat brain astrocytes and rat cerebral neurons, and adult rat brain. The results show that oligodendrocytes, similarly to neurons, express mainly MAP2c transcripts containing three microtubule-binding repeats. They also contain small amounts of MAP2b mRNA. Six low molecular weight tau isoforms, namely tau 1-6, have been described in the brain (Goedert et al. 1991). The major isoform of tau mRNA in oligodendrocytes was found to be tau 1, which represents a marker typical for immature neurons. Tau 2 and tau 4 isoforms were also detected, albeit at a very low level. Immunoblot analysis of oligodendroglia cell extracts confirmed the presence of tau protein. It migrates as a single polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 55 kDa. In addition, oligodendrocytes express MAP2c protein, which migrates as a close double band with an apparent molecular…
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Tau is predominantly expressed in cortical and hippocampal neurons, with expression also in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.
“Tau is predominantly expressed in cortical and hippocampal neurons [5–7], although there is also expression in other cell types such as oligodendrocytes and astrocytes [8, 9].”
From Tau Ablation Rewires Brain Cell Programs in Health and Restores Function in Disease (2026) · cites this paper as [8]
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“1989a,b) and are more potent in promoting tubulin polymerization in vitro (Goedert and Jakes 1990).”
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Tau Ablation Rewires Brain Cell Programs in Health and Restores Function in Disease
Chimal-Juárez, E., Patel, H., Jury-Garfe, N., Dabin, L. C., Vidal, R., Kim, J., & Lasagna-Reeves, C. A. (2026) · bioRxiv · doi:10.64898/2026.05.12.724684
- Authors
- Müller, R., Heinrich, M., Heck, S., Blohm, D., & Richter-Landsberg, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Bremen (DE)
- Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (DE)
- ORCID
- Heck, Susanne
- Venue
- Cell and Tissue Research
- Published
- 1997-04-09
- Volume
- 288
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 239-249
- ISSN
- 0302-766X (ISSN-L)
- 1432-0878
- OpenAlex
- W2058275789
- Cited by
- 127
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 4.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Cell and Tissue Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Keywords
- oligodendrocytes, microtubule-associated proteins, MAP2, tau protein, MAP2c, tau isoforms, microtubules, cytoskeleton, oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination, oligodendroglia, myelin basic protein, astrocytes, neurons, alternative splicing
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Cells, Cultured, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Oligodendroglia, RNA Splicing, RNA, Messenger, tau Proteins, Rats, Wistar, Alternative Splicing, Rats
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