Studying flexible elements of microtubule structure using cryo-electron microscopy and molecular modeling: mission possible?
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0137-0952-16-80-3S-3
Abstract
Microtubules are the basic elements of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells. Due to their multifunctionality, unique structure and high mechanical rigidity, they remain a favorite object of research using various microscopy techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy. Despite impressive advances in visualizing the microtubule lattice, flexible elements of their structure – individual protofilaments at the assembling or disassembling ends, as well as regulatory unstructured peptides known as C-terminal “tails” – are still poorly visualized. In this paper, we discuss progress in the application of cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to the study of these structural elements, as well as the role and potential of molecular modeling methods for the analysis and interpretation of the obtained experimental data.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 24-74-00002 (https://rscf.ru/project/24-74-00002/).
About the Authors
V. A. Fedorov
Department of Biophysics, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1–24 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119234
E. G. Kholina
Department of Biophysics, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1–24 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119234
N. B. Gudimchuk
Department of Biophysics, School of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1–2 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991
I. B. Kovalenko
Department of Biophysics, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1–24 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119234
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Review
For citations:
Fedorov V.A., Kholina E.G., Gudimchuk N.B., Kovalenko I.B. Studying flexible elements of microtubule structure using cryo-electron microscopy and molecular modeling: mission possible? Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 16. Biologiya. 2025;80(3):9-14. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0137-0952-16-80-3S-3
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