Interplay between Convective and Viscoelastic Forces Controls the Morphology of In Vitro Paclitaxel-Stabilized Microtubules

摘要: Microtubules (MTs) are self-assembling, high-aspect-ratio tubular nanostructures formed from the polymerization of tubulin protein. MTs capable globally assembling into optically birefringent morphologies, but there is disagreement on mechanisms driving this behavior. We investigated temporal evolution paclitaxel (PTX)-stabilized MT solutions under a range in vitro conditions. Significant morphological differences were observed polymerized PTX-MT as consequence varying orientation reaction vessel (vertical vs. horizontal), type heating source (hot plate incubator), incubation time, and concentration PTX (high low). The most robust patterns found only vertically oriented cuvettes that heated asymmetrically hot plate, suggesting dependence upon convective flow, which we confirmed with combination optical thermal imaging. Higher concentrations led to denser domain formation brighter birefringence, due more complete polymerization. Combining our experimental observations, conclude arise principally through viscoelastic forces, identify sequence dynamical stages they evolve.