The electrical properties of isolated microtubules
Abstract This study examines the electrical properties of isolated brain microtubules (MTs), which are long hollow cylinders assembled from αβ-tubulin dimers that form cytoskeletal structures engaged in several functions. MTs are implicated in sensory functions in cilia and flagella and cellular act...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36801-1 |
| _version_ | 1797795731154665472 |
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| author | Brenda C. Gutierrez Horacio F. Cantiello María del Rocío Cantero |
| author_facet | Brenda C. Gutierrez Horacio F. Cantiello María del Rocío Cantero |
| author_sort | Brenda C. Gutierrez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study examines the electrical properties of isolated brain microtubules (MTs), which are long hollow cylinders assembled from αβ-tubulin dimers that form cytoskeletal structures engaged in several functions. MTs are implicated in sensory functions in cilia and flagella and cellular activities that range from cell motility, vesicular traffic, and neuronal processes to cell division in the centrosomes and centrioles. We determined the electrical properties of the MTs with the loose patch clamp technique in either the presence or absence of the MT stabilizer Paclitaxel. We observed electrical oscillations at different holding potentials that responded accordingly in amplitude and polarity. At zero mV in symmetrical ionic conditions, a single MT radiated an electrical power of 10–17 W. The spectral analysis of the time records disclosed a single fundamental peak at 39 Hz in the Paclitaxel-stabilized MTs. However, a richer oscillatory response and two mean conductances were observed in the non-Paclitaxel MTs. The findings evidence that the brain MTs are electrical oscillators that behave as "ionic-based" transistors to generate, propagate, and amplify electrical signals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:22:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a92f1b00d36e461aa1d662edbae47e45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:22:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a92f1b00d36e461aa1d662edbae47e452023-06-25T11:14:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-06-0113111310.1038/s41598-023-36801-1The electrical properties of isolated microtubulesBrenda C. Gutierrez0Horacio F. Cantiello1María del Rocío Cantero2Laboratorio de Canales Iónicos, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD, CONICET-UNSE)Laboratorio de Canales Iónicos, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD, CONICET-UNSE)Laboratorio de Canales Iónicos, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD, CONICET-UNSE)Abstract This study examines the electrical properties of isolated brain microtubules (MTs), which are long hollow cylinders assembled from αβ-tubulin dimers that form cytoskeletal structures engaged in several functions. MTs are implicated in sensory functions in cilia and flagella and cellular activities that range from cell motility, vesicular traffic, and neuronal processes to cell division in the centrosomes and centrioles. We determined the electrical properties of the MTs with the loose patch clamp technique in either the presence or absence of the MT stabilizer Paclitaxel. We observed electrical oscillations at different holding potentials that responded accordingly in amplitude and polarity. At zero mV in symmetrical ionic conditions, a single MT radiated an electrical power of 10–17 W. The spectral analysis of the time records disclosed a single fundamental peak at 39 Hz in the Paclitaxel-stabilized MTs. However, a richer oscillatory response and two mean conductances were observed in the non-Paclitaxel MTs. The findings evidence that the brain MTs are electrical oscillators that behave as "ionic-based" transistors to generate, propagate, and amplify electrical signals.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36801-1 |
| spellingShingle | Brenda C. Gutierrez Horacio F. Cantiello María del Rocío Cantero The electrical properties of isolated microtubules Scientific Reports |
| title | The electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| title_full | The electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| title_fullStr | The electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| title_full_unstemmed | The electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| title_short | The electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| title_sort | electrical properties of isolated microtubules |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36801-1 |
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