Open AccessLattice defects induce microtubule self-renewal
Author(s) -
Laura Schaedel,
Sarah Triclin,
Denis Chrétien,
Ariane Abrieu,
Charlotte Aumeier,
Jérémie Gaillard,
Laurent Blanchoin,
Manuel Théry,
Karin John
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nature physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 9.157
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1745-2481
pISSN - 1745-2473
DOI - 10.1038/s41567-019-0542-4
Subject(s) - microtubule , tubulin , physics , dissipative system , lattice (music) , crystal structure , chemical physics , biophysics , condensed matter physics , statistical physics , crystallography , chemistry , biology , quantum mechanics , microbiology and biotechnology , acoustics
Microtubules are dynamic polymers, which grow and shrink by addition and removal of tubulin dimers at their extremities. Within the microtubule shaft, dimers adopt a densely packed and highly ordered crystal-like lattice structure, which is generally not considered to be dynamic. Here we report that thermal forces are sufficient to remodel the microtubule shaft, despite its apparent stability. Our combined experimental data and numerical simulations on lattice dynamics and structure suggest that dimers can spontaneously leave and be incorporated into the lattice at structural defects. We propose a model mechanism, where the lattice dynamics is initiated via a passive breathing mechanism at dislocations, which are frequent in rapidly growing microtubules. These results show that we may need to extend the concept of dissipative dynamics, previously established for microtubule extremities, to the entire shaft, instead of considering it as a passive material.