Diverse balances of tubulin interactions and shape change drive and interrupt microtubule depolymerization. Issue 40 (8th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bollinger, Jonathan A.; Stevens, Mark J.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 15:Issue 40(2019)
• Page Start: 8137
• Page End: 8146
• Publication Date: 2019-10-08
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01323g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Microtubules undergo catastrophically-fast depolymerization that can be reversed during "rescue" events. Coarse-grained molecular simulations reveal how these behaviors may be controlled tubulin conformation. Abstract : Microtubules are stiff biopolymers that self-assemble via the addition of GTP-tubulin (αβ-dimer bound to GTP), but hydrolysis of GTP- to GDP-tubulin within the tubules destabilizes them toward catastrophically-fast depolymerization. The molecular mechanisms and features of the individual tubulin proteins that drive such behavior are still not well-understood. Using molecular dynamics simulations of whole microtubules built from a coarse-grained model of tubulin, we demonstrate how conformational shape changes ( i.e., deformations) in subunits that frustrate tubulin–tubulin binding within microtubules drive depolymerization of stiff tubules via unpeeling "ram's horns" consistent with experiments. We calculate the sensitivity of these behaviors to the length scales and strengths of binding attractions and varying degrees of binding frustration driven by subunit shape change, and demonstrate that the dynamic instability and mechanical properties of microtubules can be produced based on either balanced or imbalanced strengths of lateral and vertical binding attractions. Finally, we show how catastrophic depolymerization can be interrupted by small regions of the microtubule containing undeformed dimers, corresponding to incomplete lattice hydrolysis. The results demonstrate a mechanism by which microtubule rescue can occur.