Abstract
INTACT microtubules surrounded by a coat of extra material and stabilised by polycations such as Alcian blue, have been seen by Behnke1 in brain extracts. A similar structure was reported in preparations of microtubules reassembled in vitro when DEAE–dextran was added (ref. 2) and the extra material was attributed to DEAE–dextran itself. In this note and the accompanying communication by Behnke3 evidence is presented that the outer component is an additional shell of tubulin subunits probably complexed with polycations. This structure is related to a double ring form of tubulin, which is a putative nucleating centre for microtubule assembly.
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References
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JACOBS, M., BENNETT, P. & DICKENS, M. Duplex microtubule is a new form of tubulin assembly induced by polycations. Nature 257, 707–709 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/257707a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/257707a0
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