Title of Work

Mechanics of microtubules

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

January 2010

Volume

43

Issue

1

First Page

29

Last Page

30

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.005

Abstract

Microtubules are rigid cytoskeletal filaments, and their mechanics affect cell morphology and cellular processes. For instance, microtubules for the support structures for extended morphologies, such as axons and cilia. Further, microtubules act as tension rods to pull apart chromosomes during cellular division. Unlike other cytoskeletal filaments (e.g., actin) that work as large networks, microtubules work individually or in small groups, so their individual mechanical properties are quite important to their cellular function. In this review, we explore the past work on the mechanics of individual microtubules, which have been studied for over a quarter of a century. We also present some prospective on future endeavors to determine the molecular mechanisms that control microtubule rigidity.

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