Role of the inter-protofilament sliding in the bending of protein microtubules.

Wang, Chengyuan; Guo, Zhigang; Wang, Ruijie; Luo, Ying · J Biomech · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

This paper aims to identify the role of the inter-protofilament (PF) sliding in the bending of microtubules (MTs). A molecular structural model (MSM) was employed to study the dependence of bending on the inter-PF bonds. It was found that the inter-PF bonds serve as an angle spring that controls the inter-PF sliding during the bending. When the angle spring is soft inter-PF sliding occurs leading to the length-dependent bending stiffness of MTs. Such a size dependent bending stiffness may also affect the vibration and buckling behavior of MTs where bending deformation is predominant.

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