MAP1B expression and microtubule stability in growing and regenerating axons

MAP1B is a microtubule-associated phosphoprotein that is particularly highl y expressed in developing neurons. There is experimental evidence that it p lays an important role in neuronal differentiation, especially the extensio n of axons and dendrites, but exactly what role is unclear. Recent experime nts have shed light on the gene structure of MAP1B and identified some of t he kinases that phosphorylate the protein. Implicit in these findings is th e idea that MAP1B regulates the organisation of microtubules in neurites an d is itself regulated in a complex way and at a number of levels. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.