BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Microtubule Rings - Simon Pearce (University of Manchester) DTSTART:20170918T141000Z DTEND:20170918T143000Z UID:TALK79731@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:INI IT DESCRIPTION: Microtubules are a filamenteous protein found inside cells\, where they are the stiffest cytoskeletal polymer with a persistence length of several millimetres. In axons\, the thin projectio ns of nerve cells which wire the brain\, well-organised parallel bundles of microtubules function as structural backbones and highways for intra cellular transport by motor proteins.
However\, in areas of neurod egeneration\, highly curved microtubules are found\, with radius of curv ature on the order of 1µ\;m. Similarly curved microtubules are some times seen in gliding assays\, where microtubules are moved by the motor protein kinesin\, rotating in a stable circular orbit amongst other mic rotubules translocating as rigid rods.
Recent evidence suggests th at some microtubule-associated proteins such as kinesin are able to sens e and alter MT curvature\, and so we model MTs moving on gliding assays as inextensible rods with a preferred curvature\, which is controlled by the differential binding of the kinesin. We find that there exist param eter regimes wherein metastable rings can form\, and hence offer this di fferential binding as an explanation for these highly curved microtubule s seen in vitro and in vivo.
 LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR