Cytoplasmic microtubules are filamentous, sub-cellar organelles that participate in a variety of important functions in eukaryotic organisms. They play critical roles in cell division, in nerve growth and regeneration, in cell shape determination, in the processes of cytoplasmic transport, and in protein and hormone secretions. Thus, an understanding of the mechanism and regulation of microtubule assembly may lead to new theraputic regimens for the treatment of cancer, central nervous injury, and other diseases. Study of the abundant cold-stable microtubules present in the tissues of Antarctic fish should lead to a greater understanding of the mechanism and regulation of microtubule assembly in both cold-blooded and warm-blooded organisms. The long range goal of Detrich's research is defining the adaptations that are responsible for the assembly of stability and function of cold-stable microtubule proteins. The specific objectives of the present award are four-fold: 1) Determining the structural domains of antarctic fish tubulins that are necessary for microtubule assembly at low temperature. 2) Characterizing the structural domains of tubulins and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that are involved in the MAP - enhanced assembly of cold-stable microtubules. 3) Sequencing portions of the Alpha and Beta tubulins that are essential for microtubule assembly at low temperatures. 4) Cloning and sequencing tubulin genes from an antarctic fish. Research will be done mainly on two antarctic cods, Notothenia gibberifrons and N. corricepts neglecta, and an ice fish, Chaenocephalus aceratus. Field work will be done at Palmer Station.
