Microtubule-associated protein 2

Microtubule-associated protein 2 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the MAP2 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the microtubule-associated protein family. The proteins of this family are thought to be involved in microtubule assembly, which is an essential step in neuritogenesis. MAP2 serves to stabilize is_associated_with::microtubules (MT) growth by crosslinking MT with is_associated_with::intermediate filaments and other MTs. The products of similar genes in rat and mouse are neuron-specific cytoskeletal proteins that are enriched in dendrites, implicating a role in determining and stabilizing dendritic shape during neuron development. A number of alternatively spliced variants encoding distinct isforms have been described.

Interactions
MAP2 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::Grb2, is_associated_with::NEFL and is_associated_with::MYO7A. MAP2 is suspected of interacting with tubulin.