Tubulin Cap Stablizes Microtubule (VIDEO)

University of California - Berkeley

Caption

This video shows how the constant addition of tubulin bound to GTP provides a cap that prevents the microtubule from falling apart. UC Berkeley scientists found that the hydrolyzation of GTP to GDP (change of red to violet) compacts the tubulin into a strained configuration that rapidly peels the microtubule apart if the cap disappears.

Credit

Eva Nogales lab, UC Berkeley

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