Distribution of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in adult and embryonic mouse retinal explants: presence of the embryonic map, MAP5/1B, in regenerating adult retinal axons.

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are developmentally regulated proteins involved in microtubule polymerization and stabilization. We have asked whether MAPs in regenerating adult mouse retinal ganglion cell axons recapitulate the pattern of MAPs seen during development. Adult and Embryonic Day 15 (E15) mouse retinal segments were explanted onto laminin-coated coverslips and allowed to extend neurites in serum-free medium. Using a variety of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), we stained adult and E15 explant cultures for early (MAP5) and late (MAP1, MAP2, MAP2a+b, tau) MAPs. Optic neurites growing from E15 explants were strongly immunoreactive for MAP5. Labeling was absent for MAP1 and MAP2a+b. Mabs to MAP2 and tau lightly stained axons and cell bodies, probably due to MAP2c and juvenile tau which are found in developing neurons. In adult explant cultures, both perikarya and axons were immunoreactive for MAP1. MAP2 and MAP2a+b labeled perikarya and fibers within the explant, and tau stained axons on the substrate. MAP5 immunoreactivity was intense in the adult explant cultures, labeling axons extending over the substrate and perikarya and dendrites in the explant in a pattern similar to that seen in E15 explants. In summary, adult retinal explants maintain their adult complement of MAPs, in showing high levels of MAP1, tau immunoreactivity restricted to neurites on the substrate, and MAP2 segregated into neurites and perikarya within the explant. The exception is MAP5 for which the pattern of immunoreactivity is similar in adult and E15 retinal explants.