Conserved Lysine Acetylation within the Microtubule-Binding Domain Regulates MAP2/Tau Family Members

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 21;11(12):e0168913. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168913. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Lysine acetylation has emerged as a dominant post-translational modification (PTM) regulating tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies. Mass spectrometry studies indicate that tau acetylation sites cluster within the microtubule-binding region (MTBR), a region that is highly conserved among tau, MAP2, and MAP4 family members, implying that acetylation could represent a conserved regulatory mechanism for MAPs beyond tau. Here, we combined mass spectrometry, biochemical assays, and cell-based approaches to demonstrate that the tau family members MAP2 and MAP4 are also subject to reversible acetylation. We identify a cluster of lysines in the MAP2 and MAP4 MTBR that undergo CBP-catalyzed acetylation, many of which are conserved in tau. Similar to tau, MAP2 acetylation can occur in a cysteine-dependent auto-regulatory manner in the presence of acetyl-CoA. Furthermore, tubulin reduced MAP2 acetylation, suggesting tubulin binding dictates MAP acetylation status. Taken together, these results uncover a striking conservation of MAP2/Tau family post-translational modifications that could expand our understanding of the dynamic mechanisms regulating microtubules.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lysine / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / chemistry
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / analysis
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Tubulin / chemistry
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / chemistry
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Mtap2 protein, mouse
  • Peptides
  • Tubulin
  • tau Proteins
  • Lysine