Transformation of taxol-stabilized microtubules into inverted tubulin tubules triggered by a tubulin conformation switch

Nat Mater. 2014 Feb;13(2):195-203. doi: 10.1038/nmat3858. Epub 2014 Jan 19.

Abstract

Bundles of taxol-stabilized microtubules (MTs)--hollow tubules comprised of assembled αβ-tubulin heterodimers--spontaneously assemble above a critical concentration of tetravalent spermine and are stable over long times at room temperature. Here we report that at concentrations of spermine several-fold higher the MT bundles (B(MT)) quickly become unstable and undergo a shape transformation to bundles of inverted tubulin tubules (B(ITT)), the outside surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the B(MT) tubules. Using transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, we quantitatively determined both the nature of the B(MT)-to-B(ITT) transformation pathway, which results from a spermine-triggered conformation switch from straight to curved in the constituent taxol-stabilized tubulin oligomers, and the structure of the B(ITT) phase, which is formed of tubules of helical tubulin oligomers. Inverted tubulin tubules provide a platform for studies requiring exposure and availability of the inside, luminal surface of MTs to MT-targeted drugs and MT-associated proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cattle
  • Microtubules / chemistry*
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure*
  • Paclitaxel / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding
  • Tubulin / chemistry*
  • Tubulin / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Tubulin
  • Paclitaxel