Microtubule formation by pure brain tubulin in vitro. The influence of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol).
Homogeneous brain tubulin, free of microtubule associated proteins, forms microtubules in polymerization buffers containing 7.5--15% dextran T10 or 2--4.5% poly(ethylene glycol) type 6000. In both systems the resulting microtubules are sensitive to colchicine and low temperature. The critical tubulin concentration in both polymerization systems can be as low as 0.25 mg/ml.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002118:Calcium; D003078:Colchicine; D003911:Dextrans; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D007700:Kinetics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008274:Magnesium; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013552:Swine; D014404:Tubulin
D003911:Dextrans; D006023:Glycoproteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D014404:Tubulin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D008274:Magnesium; D003078:Colchicine; D002118:Calcium