Nanomechanics of microtubules.
We have determined the mechanical anisotropy of a single microtubule by simultaneously measuring the Young's and the shear moduli in vitro. This was achieved by elastically deforming the microtubule deposited on a substrate tailored by electron-beam lithography with a tip of an atomic force microscope. The shear modulus is 2 orders of magnitude lower than the Young's, giving rise to a length-dependent flexural rigidity of microtubules. The temperature dependence of the microtubule's bending stiffness in the (5-40) degrees C range shows a strong variation upon cooling coming from the increasing interaction between the protofilaments.
Kis
A
A
Institute of Physics of Complex Matter, EPFL, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. andras.kis@epfl.ch
Kasas
S
S
Babić
B
B
Kulik
A J
AJ
Benoît
W
W
Briggs
G A D
GA
Schönenberger
C
C
Catsicas
S
S
Forró
L
L
D016880:Anisotropy; D004548:Elasticity; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods