Homology modeling of tubulin: Influence predictions for microtubule’s biophysical properties
Abstract
Using comparative modeling, we have generated structural models of 475 alpha and beta tubulins. Using these models, we observed a global, structural similarity between the tubulin isotypes. However, a number of subtle differences in the isotypes physical properties, including net electric charges, solvent accessible surface areas, and electric dipole moments were also apparent. In order to examine the roles that these properties may play in microtubule (MT) assembly and stability, we have created a model to evaluate the dipole-dipole interaction energies of varying MT lattice conformations, using human tubulin isotypes as particularly important examples. We conclude that the dipole moments of each tubulin isotype may influence their functional characteristics within the cell, resulting in differences for MT assembly kinetics and stability.
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The dipole moment of tubulin, excluding the C-termini, has been estimated to be between 566 debye for the α-monomer and 1714 for the β-monomer.
“The dipole moment of tubulin (excluding the very flexible and dynamic C-termini which we discuss separately below) has been estimated to be between 566 debye for the α-monomer and 1714 for the β-monomer [69].”
From An Overview of Sub-Cellular Mechanisms Involved in the Action of TTFields (2016) · cites this paper as [69]
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Background
- Authors
- Carpenter, E. J., Huzil, J. T., Ludueña, R. F., & Tuszynski, J. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
- Venue
- European Biophysics Journal
- Published
- 2006-08-29
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 35-43
- ISSN
- 0175-7571 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-1017
- OpenAlex
- W1993028475
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Biophysics Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Cancer Institute (P30CA 54174, P30CA054174)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology
- Keywords
- tubulin, microtubule assembly, microtubule stability, electric dipole moment, dipole-dipole interaction, solvent accessible surface area, comparative protein modeling
- MeSH terms
- Biophysics, Humans, Ions, Kinetics, Microtubule Proteins, Microtubules, Molecular Conformation, Software, Solvents, Tubulin, Models, Statistical, Databases, Protein, Static Electricity
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