Cited by 138Microtubule and mitosis dynamicsNeuroscience and Neural EngineeringMolecular Junctions and Nanostructures

A biopolymer transistor: Electrical amplification by microtubules

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Priel, Avner, Ramos, Arnolt J., Tuszynski, Jack A., Cantiello, Horacio F.·2006·Biophysical Journal

Abstract

Microtubules (MTs) are important cytoskeletal structures engaged in a number of specific cellular activities, including vesicular traffic, cell cyto-architecture and motility, cell division, and information processing within neuronal processes. MTs have also been implicated in higher neuronal functions, including memory and the emergence of "consciousness". How MTs handle and process electrical information, however, is heretofore unknown. Here we show new electrodynamic properties of MTs. Isolated, taxol-stabilized MTs behave as biomolecular transistors capable of amplifying electrical information. Electrical amplification by MTs can lead to the enhancement of dynamic information, and processivity in neurons can be conceptualized as an "ionic-based" transistor, which may affect, among other known functions, neuronal computational capabilities.

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  1. [1]1. Dustin, P. 1984. Microtubules. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
  2. [27]27. Mel, B. W. Why have dendrites? A computational perspective. In Dendrites, G. Stuart, N. Spruston, & M. Hausser, (Eds.), Oxford University Press, pp. 271-289.

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Authors
Priel, A., Ramos, A. J., Tuszynski, J. A., & Cantiello, H. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Priel, Avner
  • Cantiello, Horacio F.
Venue
Biophysical Journal
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-06
Volume
90
Issue
12
Pages
4639-4643
ISSN
0006-3495 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2036572722
Cited by
138
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Biophysical Journal (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
Keywords
microtubules, electrodynamic characteristics, taxol-stabilized microtubules, neural information processing, cytoskeleton
MeSH terms
Amplifiers, Electronic, Animals, Biopolymers, Cattle, Computer Simulation, Electric Conductivity, Microtubules, Models, Biological, Models, Chemical, Transistors, Electronic, Tubulin

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