Stability of microtubule protein over the pH range: 6.9--9.5

The pH stability range of a microtubule protein preparation has been investigated between 6.9 and 9.5. Microtubule protein was exposed to various pH values in this range and then returned to pH 6.9. The appearance of microtubules as verified by electron microscopy and sedimentation analysis under polymerizing conditions was taken as an indication of a conformationally stable protein. Between pH 6.9 and pH 8.0 the loss in the ability to form microtubules was found to be reversible, at pH 8.2 it was partially reversible, above pH 8.2 it was irreversible. Tubulin and the microtubule-associated protein fraction were separately exposed to high pH. It was observed that tubulin exposed to high pH can still form microtubules in the presence of untreated microtubule-associated protein. On the other hand, microtubule-associated protein exposed to high pH could not initiate microtubule assembly with untreated tubulin. It was concluded from these observations that the loss in the ability of a microtubule protein preparation to assemble at high pH is due to a change in the microtubule-associated protein fraction and that tubulin is conformationally stable even after exposure to pH 9.5.