Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Cell and Tissue Research

Publication Date

2002

Volume

309

Abstract

Compartmentalization of beta-tubulin isotypes within cells according to function was examined in gerbil olfactory and respiratory epithelia by using specific antibodies to four beta-tubulin isotypes (beta(I), beta(II), beta(III), and beta(IV)). Isotype synthesis was cell-type-specific, but the localization of the isotypes was not compartmentalized. All four isotypes were found in the cilia, dendrites, somata, and axons of olfactory neurons. Only two isotypes (beta(I) and beta(IV)) were present in the cilia of nasal respiratory epithelial cells. The beta(IV) isotype, thought to be an essential component of cilia, was present in olfactory neurons and respiratory epithelial cells, which are ciliated, but was not found in basal cells (the stem cells of olfactory sensory neurons, which have no cilia). Olfactory neurons therefore do not synthesize beta(IV)-tubulin until they mature, when functioning cilia are also elaborated. The failure to observe compartmentalization of beta-tubulin isotypes in olfactory neurons sheds new light on potential functions of the beta-tubulin isotypes.

MeSH Headings

Animals, Gerbillinae, Nasal Mucosa, Protein Isoforms, Tubulin

ISSN

0302-766X

Comments

Cell Tissue Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2007 Sep 24. Published in final edited form as: Cell Tissue Res. 2002 Aug; 309(2): 331–335.

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