Microtubule-associated protein 2


Microtubule-associated protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAP2 gene.

Function

This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the microtubule-associated protein family. The proteins of this family are thought to be involved in microtubule assembly, which is an essential step in neuritogenesis. MAP2 serves to stabilize microtubules growth by crosslinking MT with intermediate filaments and other MTs. The products of similar genes in rat and mouse are neuron-specific cytoskeletal proteins that are enriched in dendrites, implicating a role in determining and stabilizing dendritic shape during neuron development. A number of alternatively spliced variants encoding distinct isoforms have been described.

Interactions

MAP2 has been shown to interact with Grb2, NEFL and MYO7A. MAP2 is suspected of interacting with tubulin.