Abstract
THERE is increasing evidence that several cell functions are controlled by the state of polymerisation of microtubules (MTs) and by the interaction of MTs with membranes. For example, previous studies in our laboratory have shown that colchicine-sensitive structures, presumably MTs, determine the topographical organisation of cell membrane components1–3. Conditions for the polymerisation of MTs in vitro have been described4. The MT subunit has been identified by centrifugation studies as a 6S dimer of approximately 110,000 daltons5. An additional 36S component is required for MT assembly6. The established procedures used, however, to record MT polymerisation (light scattering and viscosity measurements supplemented by negative staining and electron microscopy) do not reveal details of the interactions between subunits undergoing polymerisation and cannot be applied in the presence of elements such as membranes that contribute separately to light scatter and viscosity.
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BECKER, J., OLIVER, J. & BERLIN, R. Fluorescence techniques for following interactions of microtubule subunits and membranes. Nature 254, 152–154 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254152a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/254152a0
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