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Related Concept Videos

Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

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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.
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Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

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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....
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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

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Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
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Structural Protein Function01:56

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Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
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Microtubule Instability02:17

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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...
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Microtubule Formation

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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...
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Two-Dimensional Brain Microtubule Structures Behave as Memristive Devices.

María Del Rocío Cantero1, Paula L Perez2, Noelia Scarinci2

  • 1Laboratorio de Canales Iónicos, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), UNSE-CONICET, El Zanjón, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. mdrcantero@gmail.com.

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Microtubules exhibit memristive properties, acting as electrical transmission lines. This finding suggests potential for voltage-driven neuromorphic computing within neurons.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biophysics
  • Neuroscience
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Microtubules (MTs) are crucial cytoskeletal components involved in cell division and transport.
  • MTs function as nonlinear electrical transmission lines, generating electrical oscillations.
  • Voltage-sensitive gating is necessary for ion movement and oscillatory behavior in MTs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the electrical response of non-oscillating rat brain microtubule sheets to voltage steps.
  • To identify the gating mechanism responsible for electrical activity in microtubules.
  • To explore the potential memristive properties of microtubules.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized voltage-clamping techniques to analyze electrical responses.
  • Applied square voltage pulses to 2D arrays of microtubules.
  • Characterized charge movement and voltage-dependent capacitance.

Main Results:

  • Observed complex, voltage-dependent nonlinear charge movement.
  • Identified a saturating, voltage-dependent capacitance (4 fC/μm²).
  • Detected a major, non-saturating voltage-dependent charge transfer, indicative of memristive behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubules exhibit memristive characteristics, similar to multistep memristive devices.
  • These memristive capabilities could underlie microtubule oscillatory behavior.
  • Microtubule memristivity offers potential for voltage-driven neuromorphic circuits in neurons.