title: Spin probe analysis of microtubules structure and formation.
abstract: Microtubules (MTs) control cell replication, material transport and motion in eukaryotic cells, but MT role in several pathologies is still unknown. These functions are related to the MT physico-chemical properties and MT formation mode starting from tubulin molecules. This study describes a new method, based on the computer aided analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of selected spin probes to obtain structural and dynamical information on tubulins and MTs and the kinetics of MTs formation promoted by guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP). It was found that tubulin and MTs avoid radical quenching caused by ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA). MT formation showed different kinetics as a function of tubulin concentration. At 5 mg/mL of tubulin, MTs were formed in 8 min. These results are also useful for getting information on MT-drug interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth, Life and Environment Sciences (DiSTeVA)-Località Crocicchia, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy. maria.ottaviani@uniurb.it
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pregnolato
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cangiotti
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiorani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattori
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danani
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D019281:Dimerization; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D013113:Spin Labels; D014404:Tubulin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D013113:Spin Labels; D014404:Tubulin; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate