MAP6d1 - a novel microtubule doublet regulator in neuronal primary cilia

We have recently shown that the MAP6d1 protein is the first neuronal protein able to form microtubule doublet structures in vitro. In agreement with the in vitro data, we observed that in neurons, MAP6d1 colocalises with the basal body and the proximal segment of the primary cilia where microtubule doublets are specifically present (article in preparation). Another striking structural feature of microtubules polymerized in vitro by MAP6d1 are microtubules with luminal protofilaments which have never been described before. The aim of this proposal is to explore the whole microtubule architecture of murine neurons by collecting high resolution cryo-ET data from neurons grown on microscopy grids and investigate whether microtubule doublets are present in other compartments than cilia and where microtubules with inner protofilaments are observed in neurons.