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X-ray kinetic studies of microtubule assembly using synchrotron radiation

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Abstract

The assembly of microtubules has been investigated by time-resolved X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The small-angle scattering becomes visible within seconds and thus enables study of the structural transitions of the protein aggregates during assembly from their subunits in solution. The X-ray pattern at 4 °C arises from a mixture of tubulin rings, dimers and some other species. Raising the temperature to 36 °C induces the breakdown of rings, followed by the growth of microtubules. The results suggest that microtubules may be formed from tubulin oligomers smaller than rings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Max–Planck–Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, D-6900, Heidelberg, FRG

    Eva-Maria Mandelkow, Arnold Harmsen & Eckhard Mandelkow

  2. European Molecular Biology Laboratory, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse, D-2000, Hamburg, 52, FRG

    Joan Bordas

Authors
  1. Eva-Maria Mandelkow
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  2. Arnold Harmsen
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  3. Eckhard Mandelkow
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  4. Joan Bordas
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Mandelkow, EM., Harmsen, A., Mandelkow, E. et al. X-ray kinetic studies of microtubule assembly using synchrotron radiation. Nature 287, 595–599 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/287595a0

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