Изучение гибких элементов структуры микротрубочек с помощью криоэлектронной микроскопии и молекулярного моделирования: миссия выполнима?

Микротрубочки являются базовыми элементами цитоскелета эукариотических клеток. Благодаря своей многофункциональности, уникальной структуре и высокой механической жесткости, они остаются излюбленным объектом исследований с использованием различных методов микроскопии, включая криоэлектронную. Несмотря на впечатляющие успехи в визуализации решетки микротрубочек, гибкие элементы их структуры – отдельные протофиламенты на собирающихся или разбирающихся плюс-концах, а также регуляторные неструктурированные пептиды, известные как C-концевые «хвосты», – до сих пор слабо поддаются визуализации. В этой статье мы обсуждаем прогресс в применении криоэлектронной микроскопии и томографии к изучению этих участков, а также роль и потенциал методов молекулярного моделирования для анализа и интерпретации полученных экспериментальных данных.

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