title: Characterization of microtubules isolated from dogfish (Squalus acanthias and Scyliorhinus canicula) brain in the absence of glycerol.
abstract: Microtubules were isolated by two cycles of assembly-disassembly from dogfish brain in the absence of glycerol. The microtubule protein preparation consist mainly of tubulin as characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but tau and high molecular weight microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) were also identified, in addition to several other MAPs. The microtubules were cold-sensitive and had an assembly temperature optimum at 21-25 degrees C. Ca2+, at a concentration of 1 mM or higher, induced spirals of several protofilaments, sheets and "macrotubules". In the presence of colchicine (0.1-1.0 mM) spirals as well as microtubules were seen. These structures were often found to be clustered.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004284:Dogfish / Q000378:metabolism*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D012754:Sharks / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin; D005990:Glycerol; D003078:Colchicine; D002118:Calcium