Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Echinobase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
Echinobase
ECB-ART-30876
Biophys J 1975 Jul 01;157:725-44. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(75)85850-4.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Functional organization of mitotic microtubules. Physical chemistry of the in vivo equilibrium system.

Inoué S , Fuseler J , Salmon ED , Ellis GW .


???displayArticle.abstract???
Equilibrium between mitotic microtubules and tubulin is analyzed, using birefringence of mitotic spindle to measure microtubule concentration in vivo. A newly designed temperature-controlled slide and miniature, thermostated hydrostatic pressure chamber permit rapid alteration of temperature and of pressure. Stress birefringence of the windows is minimized, and a system for rapid recording of compensation is incorporated, so that birefringence can be measured to 0.1 nm retardation every few seconds. Both temperature and pressure data yield thermodynamic values (delta H similar to 35 kcal/mol, delta S similar to 120 entropy units [eu], delta V similar to 400 ml/mol of subunit polymerized) consistent with the explanation that polymerization of tubulin is entropy driven and mediated by hydrophobic interactions. Kinetic data suggest pseudo-zero-order polymerization and depolymerization following rapid temperature shifts, and a pseudo-first-order depolymerization during anaphase at constant temperature. The equilibrium properties of the in vivo mitotic microtubules are compared with properties of isolated brain tubules.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 1139037
???displayArticle.pmcLink??? PMC1334731
???displayArticle.link??? Biophys J


Genes referenced: LOC115921237 tubgcp2

References [+] :
Aronson, Nuclear membrane fusion in fertilized Lytechinus variegatus eggs. 1973, Pubmed, Echinobase