Requirement for the βI and βIV tubulin isotypes in mammalian cilia

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Abstract
Nielsen et al., [2001: Curr Biol 11:529–533], based on studies in Drosophila, have proposed that β tubulin in axonemal microtubules must contain a specific acidic seven amino acid sequence in its carboxyl terminus. In mammals, the two βIV isotypes (βIVa and βIVb) contain that sequence. In order to test the application of this hypothesis to mammals, we have examined the expression of β tubulin isotypes in four different ciliated tissues (trachea, ependyma, uterine tube, and testis) using isotype‐specific antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. We find that βIV tubulin is present in all ciliated cell types examined, but so is βI tubulin. Taken together with recent studies that show that βI and βIV tubulin are both present in the cilia of vestibular hair cells, olfactory neurons, and nasal respiratory epithelial cells, we propose that both βI tubulin and βIV tubulin may be required for axonemal structures in mammals. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 55:213–220, 2003.
Funding Information
  • NIH (CA26376, DC02053)
  • U.S. Army (DAMD17-98-1-8246)
  • Welch Foundation (AQ-0726)