Phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and pH of the medium control interaction between MAPs and actin filaments.

Interaction of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) with actin filaments at neutral pH is inhibited by phosphorylation of MAPs. Phosphorylated MAPs are less potent than unphosphorylated ones in increasing the low-shear viscosity of actin filaments in the neutral pH range. The ability of unphosphorylated MAPs to crosslink actin filaments falls off sharply above pH 7.5. Upon phosphorylation, the crosslinking ability of the MAPs peaks sharply between pH 6.2 and 6.3. Thus, the MAPs-actin interaction can be regulated by phosphorylation of MAPs and small changes in the physiological range of pH.