High concentrations of STOP protein induce a microtubule super-stable state.

We have previously shown that mammalian brain crude extracts contained two classes of stable microtubules: "cold stable" and "super-stable" microtubules. We now find that both species are generated by a single protein factor (STOP protein) in a dose dependent manner. These results show that STOP protein action can be extreme, inducing resistance to -80 degrees C or to sonication and that no other factor seems to be required to account for the various subclasses of highly stable microtubules in brain. Finally, the rapid procedure described for the preparation of purified "super-stable microtubules" should be useful for the obtention of fractions with high STOP protein activity.