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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

Microtubules are the thickest cytoskeletal filaments with a diameter of 25 nm. In prokaryotic organisms, microtubules are commonly found in locomotory appendages like cilia and flagella. In eukaryotic cells, microtubules form specialized extensions for moving fluid over the surface, like those found in cells lining the intestine.
Microtubules have two structurally similar globular protein subunits: α and β tubulins. In the cytosol, the α and β tubulins form a heterodimer. These αβ-heterodimers...
Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

There are three types of cytoskeletal structures in eukaryotic cells—microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the thickest of these fibers. Microtubules carry out a variety of functions that include cell structure and support, transport of organelles, cell motility (movement), and the separation of chromosomes during cell division.
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo continuous assembly and disassembly. They originate from specialized multi-protein complexes known as microtubule organizing centers or MTOCs. Within the MTOC, the point of origin of the microtubule is known as the minus end, while the end radiating outward is the plus end. Microtubules serve two primary functions — the organization of spindle complexes to separate sister chromatids during mitotic or meiotic cell division and the formation of...
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
07:20

Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy

Published on: February 18, 2022

Vibrations in microtubules.

J Pokorný1, F Jelínek, V Trkal

  • 1Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic ; Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.

Journal of Biological Physics
|January 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study analyzes vibrations in microtubules and actin filaments, revealing optical and acoustical branches. Energy from guanosine triphosphate and adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis may excite these polar vibrations.

Keywords:
Dispersion relationEnergy supply to cyto-skeletonFröhlich's condensation in cytoskeletonHydrolysis of ATPHydrolysis of GTPMicrotubule translation symmetryNonlinearity in cytoskeletonVibrations in actin filamentsVibrations in microtubules

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Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
07:20

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Solid State Physics

Background:

  • Microtubules and actin filaments are crucial cytoskeletal components.
  • Understanding their dynamic properties is essential for cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze vibrations in microtubules and actin filaments.
  • To derive dispersion relations for these vibrations.
  • To explore the nature and excitation mechanisms of these vibrations.

Main Methods:

  • A method analogous to lattice vibrations in solid-state physics was employed.
  • Dispersion relations were derived for microtubule and actin filament vibrations.

Main Results:

  • Vibrations in microtubules exhibit optical and acoustical branches.
  • The highest vibration frequencies for both structures are approximately 10^8 Hz.
  • Vibrations are polar, with interactions mediated by electromagnetic fields.

Conclusions:

  • Cytoskeletal filament vibrations are polar and influenced by electromagnetic fields.
  • Energy from GTP and ATP hydrolysis can potentially excite these vibrations.
  • This provides a novel perspective on cytoskeletal dynamics.