Localization of βv tubulin in the cochlea and cultured cells with a novel monoclonal antibody

Tubulin, the dimeric structural protein of microtubules, is a heterodimer of 01 and beta subunits; both alpha and beta exist as numerous isotypes encoded by different genes. In vertebrates the sequence differences among the beta(I), beta(II), beta(III), beta(IV) and beta(v) isotypes are highly conserved in evolution, implying that the isotypes may have functional significance. Isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies have been useful in determining the cellular and sub-cellular distributions and possible functions of the beta(1), beta(II), beta(III), and beta(IV) isotypes; however, little is known about the beta(v) isotype. We here report the creation and purification of a monoclonal antibody (SHM.12G11) specific for beta(v). The antibody was designed to be specific for the C-terminal sequence EEEINE, which is unique to rodent and chicken beta(v). The antibody was found to bind specifically to the C-terminal peptide EEEINE, and does not cross-react with the carboxy-termini of either alpha-tubulin or the other beta-tubulin isotypes. However, the antibody also binds to the peptide EEEVNE, but not to the peptide EEEIDG, corresponding respectively to the C-terminal peptides of bovine and human beta(v). Immunofluorescence analysis indicates that beta(v) is found in microtubules of both the interphase network and the mitotic spindle. In gerbils, beta(v) also occurs in the cochlea where it is found largely in the specialized cells that are unique in containing bundled microtubules with 15 protofilaments.