Biomaterial Database

Association of high-molecular-weight proteins with microtubules and their role in microtubule assembly in vitro. 1975

D B Murphy, and G G Borisy

High-molecular-weight components (HMW) specifically associated with microtubule protein purified from porcine brain tissue were separated from tubulin by DEAE-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography. Analysis by viscometry, sedimentation, and electron microscopy of the unfractionated microtubule protein, separated HMW and tubulin fractions, and reconstituted mixtures showed that HMW promoted formation of ring structures at 5 degrees and tubule polymerization at 37 degrees. The HMW reassociated with tubulin and was identified in thin sections as 18.9 x 5.6 nm projections attached to the microtubules with a longitudinal periodicity of 32.5 nm. These studies: (1) indicate that the HMW fraction stimulates microtubule assembly by facilitating the formation of ring structures which are apparently intermediates in polymerization, and (2) demonstrate that the HMW associates with microtubules as a structural component projecting from the surface of the microtubule wall.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008870	Microtubules	Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS.	Microtubule
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D009419	Nerve Tissue Proteins		Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D011485	Protein Binding	The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.	Plasma Protein Binding Capacity,Binding, Protein
D001923	Brain Chemistry	Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states.	Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D002848	Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose	A type of ion exchange chromatography using diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE-CELLULOSE) as a positively charged resin. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	DEAE-Cellulose Chromatography,Chromatography, DEAE Cellulose,DEAE Cellulose Chromatography
D002852	Chromatography, Ion Exchange	Separation technique in which the stationary phase consists of ion exchange resins. The resins contain loosely held small ions that easily exchange places with other small ions of like charge present in solutions washed over the resins.	Chromatography, Ion-Exchange,Ion-Exchange Chromatography,Chromatographies, Ion Exchange,Chromatographies, Ion-Exchange,Ion Exchange Chromatographies,Ion Exchange Chromatography,Ion-Exchange Chromatographies
D003078	Colchicine	A major alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. and found also in other Colchicum species. Its primary therapeutic use is in the treatment of gout, but it has been used also in the therapy of familial Mediterranean fever (PERIODIC DISEASE).	Colchicine, (+-)-Isomer,Colchicine, (R)-Isomer