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Effect of Calcium on Electrical Energy Transfer by Microtubules

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Abstract

Microtubules (MTs) are important cytoskeletal superstructures implicated in neuronal morphology and function, which are involved in vesicle trafficking, neurite formation and differentiation and other morphological changes. The structural and functional properties of MTs depend on their high intrinsic charge density and functional regulation by the MT depolymerising properties of changes in Ca2 +  concentration. Recently, we reported on remarkable properties of isolated MTs, which behave as biomolecular transistors capable of amplifying electrical signals (Priel et al., Biophys J 90:4639–4643, 2006). Here, we demonstrate that MT-bathing (cytoplasmic) Ca2 +  concentrations modulate the electrodynamic properties of MTs. Electrical amplification by MTs was exponentially dependent on the Ca2 +  concentration between 10 − 7 and 10 − 2 M. However, the electrical connectivity (coupling) of MTs was optimal at a narrower window of Ca2 +  concentrations. We observed that while raising bathing Ca2 +  concentration increased electrical amplification by MTs, energy transfer was highest in the presence of ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (lowest Ca2 +  concentration). Our data indicate that Ca2 +  is an important modulator of electrical amplification by MTs, supporting the hypothesis that this divalent cation, which adsorbs onto the polymer’s surface, plays an important role as a regulator of the electrical properties of MTs. The Ca2 + -dependent ability of MTs to modulate and amplify electrical signals may provide a novel means of cell signaling, likely contributing to neuronal function.

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Acknowledgements

Funding from NSERC (Canada), MITACS and Technology Innovations, LLC of Rochester, NY, USA supported this research (AP & JT). HC was partially funded by the PKD Foundation. AJR is the recipient of a PKD Foundation postdoctoral fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Alberta Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2J1, Canada

    Avner Priel & Jack A. Tuszynski

  2. Nephrology Division and Electrophysiology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA

    Arnolt J. Ramos & Horacio F. Cantiello

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA

    Arnolt J. Ramos & Horacio F. Cantiello

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  1. Avner Priel
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  2. Arnolt J. Ramos
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  3. Jack A. Tuszynski
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  4. Horacio F. Cantiello
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Correspondence to Horacio F. Cantiello.

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Priel, A., Ramos, A.J., Tuszynski, J.A. et al. Effect of Calcium on Electrical Energy Transfer by Microtubules. J Biol Phys 34, 475–485 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10867-008-9106-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10867-008-9106-z

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