Microtubule-macrotubule transitions: intermediates after exposure to the mitotic inhibitor vinblastine

Science. 1974 Dec 27;186(4170):1219-21. doi: 10.1126/science.186.4170.1219.

Abstract

Vinblastine treatment of microtubule protein or intact microtubules assembled in vitro produced bifilar rings and bifilar helices. Suspentsions of rings and helices were demonstrated to bind [(3)H]colchicine, a diagnostic property of microtubule protein. Macrotubules are suggested to consist of tightly coiled helices formed by longitudinal compacting of loosely coiled protofilament pair intermediates.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain / ultrastructure
  • Colchicine / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microtubules / drug effects*
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Models, Structural
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins* / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Swine
  • Tritium
  • Vinblastine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Tritium
  • Vinblastine
  • Colchicine