Open AccessBending-torsional elasticity and energetics of the plus-end microtubule tip
Author(s) -
Maxim Igaev,
Helmut Grubmüller
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2115516119
Subject(s) - microtubule , ratchet , brownian dynamics , physics , biophysics , energetics , elasticity (physics) , chemistry , brownian motion , chemical physics , biology , work (physics) , microbiology and biotechnology , thermodynamics , quantum mechanics
Significance The mechanochemical basis of microtubule growth, which is essential for the normal function and division of eukaryotic cells, has remained elusive and controversial, despite extensive work. In particular, recent findings have created the paradox that the microtubule plus-end tips look very similar during both growing and shrinking phases, thereby challenging the traditional textbook picture. Our large-scale atomistic simulations resolve this paradox and explain microtubule growth and shrinkage dynamics as a process governed by energy barriers between protofilament conformations, the heights of which are in turn fine-tuned by different nucleotide states, thus implementing an information-driven Brownian ratchet.