The formation of filamentous structures from iodinated neurotubules

The porcine neurotubule and its basic subunit were found to be modified in vitro by iodination of amino acids (principally tyrosine) using lactoperoxidase. Iodide ion, H2O2, or lactoperoxidase singly or in any pairwise combination had virtually no effect on neurotubules. However, when all three reagents were present, permitting covalent iodination, it was found that at 0.1 iodotyrosines per tubulin dimer the microtubules unravel to form structures which morphologically resemble strands of protofilaments twisted or wound around each other. These abnormal tubules are stable at room temperature and 4 degrees C. Both monomers of tubulin are labeled to approximately the same extent. Iodinated tubulin (0.1 iodotyrosines/dimer) is unable to assemble in vitro under normal assembly conditions. Heavily iodinated microtubules (8 iodines per tubulin dimer) are similar in morphology to the slightly iodinated structures.