WDR47 protects neuronal microtubule minus ends from katanin-mediated severing

Abstract

Axons and dendrites are long extensions of neurons that contain arrays of noncentrosomal microtubules. Calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated proteins (CAMSAPs) bind to and stabilize free microtubule minus ends and are critical for proper neuronal development and function. Previous studies have shown that the microtubule-severing ATPase katanin interacts with CAMSAPs and limits the length of CAMSAP-decorated microtubule stretches. However, how CAMSAP and microtubule minus end dynamics are regulated in neurons is poorly understood. Here, we show that the neuron-enriched protein WDR47 interacts with CAMSAPs and is critical for axon and dendrite development. We find that WDR47 accumulates at CAMSAP2-decorated microtubules, is essential for maintaining CAMSAP2 stretches, and protects minus ends from katanin-mediated severing. We propose a model where WDR47 protects CAMSAP2 at microtubule minus ends from katanin activity to ensure proper stabilization of the neuronal microtubule network.