PANCREATIC TAU-RELATED MAPS - BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS IN A TUMORAL CELL-LINE

In the present study, we report the existence of four tau-related micr otubule-associated proteins (MAPs) of 48, 50, 55 and 58 kDa in a pancr eatic exocrine cell line (AR4-2J). Using immunofluorescence, we demons trate that these tau-related MAPs are associated with microtubules in AR4-2J cells. That colocalization is particularly striking on microtub ules bundles in cellular extensions and is the first evidence for tau- related MAPs colocalization with microtubules in non-neuronal cells. A s it has been often discussed for neuronal tau, the localization of ta u-related proteins in AR4-2J cells suggests that these proteins may be involved in microtubule bundling.