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Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

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Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
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Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
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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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Anaphase A and B01:39

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Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
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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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During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
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Electronic Energy Migration in Microtubules.

Aarat P Kalra1, Alfy Benny1, Sophie M Travis2

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Summary
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Microtubules, essential cell structures, unexpectedly function as efficient light-harvesting systems. Their amino acid chromophores facilitate energy transfer, demonstrating potential for biohybrid devices.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Microtubules provide mechanical strength and serve as scaffolds for intracellular transport.
  • Their crystalline structure and short lattice constants suggest potential for energy transfer, similar to synthetic light-harvesting systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether amino acid chromophores in microtubules can transfer excitation energy.
  • To determine the efficiency and mechanisms of energy transport within microtubules.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized tryptophan autofluorescence lifetimes to probe energy hopping between aromatic residues.
  • Analyzed the effect of quencher concentration on autofluorescence lifetimes.
  • Investigated the influence of tubulin polymerization state and protofilament number on energy diffusion.
  • Assessed the impact of anesthetics (etomidate, isoflurane) on exciton diffusion.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated electronic energy diffusion over 6.6 nm in microtubules.
  • Found that tubulin polymerization state affects diffusion length, but protofilament number does not.
  • Observed that anesthetics reduce exciton diffusion.
  • Concluded that conventional Förster theory alone does not fully explain the observed energy transport.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubules exhibit efficient light-harvesting capabilities.
  • Energy transport mechanisms in microtubules are complex and not fully described by existing theories.
  • Findings suggest novel applications for microtubules in biohybrid light-harvesting devices.