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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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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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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.
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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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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

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Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
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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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Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Mimicking Sub-Structures Self-Organization in Microtubules.

Sanjay Sarma O V1, Sruthi Palaparthi2, Ramana Pidaparti3

  • 1College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. sanjaysarmaov@uga.edu.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 23, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel swarm engineering framework to model microtubule self-organization. Simulations reveal GTPs

Keywords:
game enginemicrotubule associated proteinsmicrotubulesprotofilamentsself-organizationswarm engineeringswarm intelligence

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic polymers essential for intracellular processes like mitosis and transport.
  • MTs self-organization is crucial but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored.
  • Current research often relies on laboratory experiments to study MTs and Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel swarm engineering framework for modeling microtubule self-organization.
  • To investigate the role of Guanosine-triphosphate (GTPs) in microtubule polymerization and substructure formation.
  • To explore the principles of design and swarm intelligence in biological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a swarm engineering framework combining design principles with swarm intelligence.
  • Simulated the framework using a game engine to observe microtubule self-organization.
  • Analyzed simulation data to understand the influence of GTPs on protofilament formation.

Main Results:

  • Simulations successfully demonstrated the self-organization of microtubule rings and protofilaments.
  • Analytics revealed the significant influence of GTP concentration on protofilament formation.
  • GTP population density was found to be more critical than bonding probabilities in polymerization.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed swarm engineering framework effectively models microtubule self-organization.
  • GTP concentration plays a pivotal role in microtubule polymerization and the formation of substructures.
  • This approach offers new insights into the self-organizing intelligence of biological systems.