Curved microtubule regions mark sites of lattice compaction in cells and neurons

Abstract

Angstrom-scale changes in microtubule (MT) lattice spacing regulate the selective recruitment of MT-associated proteins, yet how these structural states operate in cells remains poorly understood. Here, we show that MT lattice expansion, induced by protein-based expanders or microtubule-stabilizing agents such as Taxol and epothilone D, drives the relocalization of compact lattice–binding proteins, including tau, doublecortin (DCX), and the C1 domain–containing signaling protein GEF-H1, into highly curved MT-associated domains, whereas the compaction-inducing agent laulimalide suppresses this response. In contrast, the tumor suppressor RASSF1A preferentially associates with expanded lattice states, revealing differential lattice sensitivity among closely related C1 domain–containing proteins. These short, curved assemblies are enriched at MT intersections and discrete MT segments, revealing spatially heterogeneous lattice states within individual microtubules. At substoichiometric levels, compact lattice–binding proteins behave as both MT compactors and curvature sensors. Changes in osmotic pressure selectively promote dissociation of compact lattice–binding proteins, whereas expanded lattice–binding proteins remain largely unaffected. Using curved filament formation as an in-cellulo readout of compact lattice regions, we identify widespread lattice-state sensitivity across diverse MT-associated and signaling proteins. Finally, we show that these principles extend to neurons, where somatic, but not axonal, tau exhibits sensitivity to lattice expansion despite the expanded lattice architecture of distal axonal microtubules, suggesting additional neuron-specific regulation of lattice accessibility. Together, our findings identify the MT lattice as a dynamic mechanochemical platform whose nanoscale structural states spatially organize protein recruitment and signaling in cells and neurons.