Biomolecular Motor Modulates Mechanical Property of
Microtubule
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Abstract
The microtubule (MT) is the stiffest
cytoskeletal filamentous protein
that takes part in a wide range of cellular activities where its mechanical
property plays a crucially significant role. How a single biological
entity plays multiple roles in cell has been a mystery for long time.
Over the recent years, it has been known that modulation of the mechanical
property of MT by different cellular agents is the key to performing
manifold in vivo activities by MT. Studying the mechanical property
of MT thus has been a prerequisite in understanding how MT plays such
diversified in vivo roles. However, the anisotropic structure of MT
has been an impediment in obtaining a precise description of the mechanical
property of MT along its longitudinal and lateral directions that
requires employment of distinct experimental approach and has not
been demonstrated yet. In this work, we have developed an experimental
system that enabled us to investigate the effect of tensile stress
on MT. By using our newly developed system, (1) we have determined
the Young’s modulus of MT considering its deformation under
applied tensile stress and (2) a new role of MT associated motor protein
kinesin in modulating the mechanical property of MT was revealed for
the first time. Decrease in Young’s modulus of MT with the
increase in interaction with kinesin suggests that kinesin has a softening
effect on MT and thereby can modulate the rigidity of MT. This work
will be an aid in understanding the modulation of mechanical property
of MTs by MT associated proteins and might also help obtain a clear
insight of the endurance and mechanical instability of MTs under applied
stress