Acetylation of α-Tubulin on Lys⁴⁰ Is a Widespread Post-Translational Modification in Angiosperms

Abstract

Acetylation of α-tubulin on Lys⁴⁰ is thought to be a modification that regulates the dynamic instability of microtubules, but little is known about the occurrence of α-tubulin acetylation in plants. Here we report on a growth stage-dependent change in levels of α-tubulin acetylation and the organ distribution of acetylated α-tubulin in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Widespread occurrence of α-tubulin acetylation in the leaves of 15 species (20 cultivars) of angiosperms was also confirmed. Our data indicate that acetylated α-tubulin is widespread in many angiosperms, but levels can differ, sometimes considerably, among different organs and developmental stages.