MAP 2

A major microtubule associated protein

General Information

There are two major classes of heat stable microtubule associated proteins (MAPs): MAP 2, and tau. Both protein classes are involved in the regulation of microtubule polymerization in cells.
Three isoforms of MAP 2 have been described so far; MAP 2a and 2b with a molecular weight of approximately 280 kDa and a smaller 70 kDa variant (MAB 2c). MAP 2b and MAP 2c are detectable in the brain of newborn rats, while MAP 2a appears later in postnatal development. At the same time MAP 2c level drops and is hardly detectable in the adult brain.