Binding of microtubule protein to DNA and chromatin: possibility of simultaneous linkage of microtubule to nucleic and assembly of the microtubule structure.

Microtubule protein binds to DNA through microtubule associated polypeptides (MAPs). Among MAPs there is one high molecular weight polypeptide (MAP2) which interacts with DNA fundamentally through certain polynucleotide sequences. This interaction is not affected by the presence of histones and other chromosomal proteins. DNA can associate to assembled microtubules and when a determinate DNA/protein ratio is reached the nucleic acid behaves as a microtubule associated molecule. The nucleic acid fragments which preferentially bind to microtubules have been isolated and characterized. These fragments contain DNA regions enriched in repetitive sequences that hybridizes preferentially to the pericentromeric zone of metaphase chromosomes. These results give further support to the model of interaction microtubule-chromosome based upon the mediator function of the microtubule associated proteins.