The newer member of the tubulin superfamily, gamma-tubulin, is known to mediate microtubule nucleation from the centrosome of eukaryotic cells with the aid of some other proteins. The major amount of gamma-tubulin is believed to be located in the centrosome before the onset of mitotic division. However, a considerable amount has been found in the cytoplasm in the form of a complex whose function is not well known. Microtubules are most abundant in brain tissues and brain microtubules have been extensively used in many in vitro studies. Thus, it is relevant to use brain tissue to characterize cytoplasmic gamma-tubulin complex. Here we show that cytoplasmic gamma-tubulin in brain tissues exists as a ring complex as in other tissues. Interestingly, along with the common members of the gamma-TuRC reported from several tissues and species, the purified brain cytoplasmic complex contains some high molecular weight proteins including alpha and beta nonerythroid spectrin which are not found in other tissues. Immunohistochemical studies of brain tissue sections also show the co-localization of gamma-tubulin and spectrin. The possible implications have been discussed.
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