GTP-dependent formation of straight oligomers leads to nucleation of microtubules

Ayukawa, R.; Iwata, S.; Imai, H.; Kamimura, S.; Hayashi, M.; Ngo, K. X.; Minoura, I.; Uchimura, S.; Makino, T.; Shirouzu, M.; Shigematsu, H.; Sekimoto, K.; Gigant, B.; Muto, E.

doi:10.1101/2020.03.05.979989

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.03.05.979989

GTP-dependent formation of straight oligomers leads to nucleation of microtubules

Ayukawa, R.·Iwata, S.·Imai, H.·Kamimura, S.·Hayashi, M.·Ngo, K. X.·Minoura, I.·Uchimura, S.·Makino, T.·Shirouzu, M.·Shigematsu, H.·Sekimoto, K.·Gigant, B.·Muto, E.

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Microtubule (MT) nucleation is essential for cellular activities, but its mechanism is not known because of the difficulty involved in capturing rare stochastic events in the early stage of polymerization. In cells, MTs are nucleated at tubulin concentrations significantly lower than those required for spontaneous nucleation in vitro. The high efficiency of nucleation is due to the synergistic effects of various cellular factors, but the underlying mechanism has not been clarified yet. Here, combining negative stain electron microscopy and kinetic analysis, we demonstrate that the formation of single-stranded straight oligomers with critical size is essential for nucleation in vitro. While the single-stranded oligomers of GTP-tubulin that form prior to MT nucleation show variable curvatures including a few straight oligomers, only curved oligomers are observed among the GDP-bound counterparts. The Y222F mutation in {beta}-tubulin increases the proportion of straight oligomers and drastically accelerates MT nucleation. Our results support a model in which GTP binding causes a small shift in the distribution of oligomer curvature, generating a minor population of straight oligomers compatible with lateral association and further growth to MTs. Our study suggests that cellular factors involved in nucleation promote it via stabilization of straight oligomers.

Source connections

Published article ↗

Explore related subjects

biophysics Preprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Ayukawa, R., Iwata, S., Imai, H., Kamimura, S., Hayashi, M., Ngo, K. X., Minoura, I., Uchimura, S., Makino, T., Shirouzu, M., Shigematsu, H., Sekimoto, K., Gigant, B., Muto, E.. 2020-03-06. GTP-dependent formation of straight oligomers leads to nucleation of microtubules. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.05.979989

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Frequency-Dependent Structural Responses of Amyloid-β Fibrils to Terahertz Pulses: A Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Study

The abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins into fibrils is closely associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the importance of developing effective strategies to modulate fibril structural stability. Here, we employed nonequilibrium molecular dynamics(NEMD) simulations to examine the effects of intense terahertz-to-mid-infrared pulses on three amyloid fibrils (2LMP, 2MXU, and 5OQV), focusing on the combined effects of pulse frequency and electric-field strength. Frequency scans from 0.5 to 60 THz in 0.5 THz steps revealed frequency-dependent losses of {beta}-sheet content, with several common response patterns in these fibrils. Comparisons at 2, 23, 33, and 50 THz showed that pulse-induced changes in secondary structure differed from those in high-temperature controls. Hydrogen-bond analysis showed that total hydrogen-bond counts could partially recover even as interchain hydrogen bonds continued to decrease, with distinct responses among representative chain pairs. We therefore propose a two-threshold electric-field framework for fibril disruption: Eth1 describes the onset of structural perturbation, whereas Eth2 indicates persistent structural loss after the pulse. This framework offers a testable approach for characterizing amyloid structural responses to external fields, although the underlying energy-coupling mechanisms, quantitative thresholds, and long-term recovery require further validation. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for exploring external-field-based strategies to modulate protein aggregation.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2026

Organised streaming of cerebrospinal fluid in the human third ventricle

Quasi-periodic pressure pulses associated with cardiac and respiratory activity generate reciprocating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) motion in the human ventricles. Regular waves dominated by the cardiac cycle are overlaid with cycles of low-frequency respiratory waves, the latter to become stronger in forced breathing or even dominated by large successive flushes in NREM sleep. The present study investigates how such waves contribute to residual streaming within the human ventricles. Transient CFD simulations were performed in the third ventricle at varying parameters of frequency, stroke volume and wave-form asymmetry. Increasing the aqueduct peak Reynolds-number, either by small stroke volume and high frequency or large stroke volume at low frequency, transfers the flow from a reversible flow pattern to the formation of clear preferential pathways, alternating between the in- and outflow cycle. The resulting permanent streaming flux across the aqueduct relative to the mean oscillatory flow-rate, i.e. the dimensionless streaming ratio SR follows a rational saturation relation, SR [~] ReAq,peak/(C + ReAq,peak), demonstrating that increasing the peak aqueduct Reynolds number yields diminishing returns and bounds the relative contribution of residual inter-ventricular streaming. These findings demonstrate differences in hydrodynamic organisation in the third ventricle and highlight the importance of this organisation for intraventricular fluid exchange.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2026

Amyloid stability and condensate material properties independently govern the hnRNPA2 condensate to fibril transition

hnRNPA2 is a component of cellular membraneless organelles many of which contain RNA and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs frequently contain low-complexity domains (LCDs) that can also assemble into amyloid fibrils. Fibrils isolated from patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration contain ordered segments of these LCDs and disease-associated mutations can enhance the homotypic interactions that promote aggregation. Although previous studies have largely examined the condensate-to-fibril transition by altering condensate stability, how amyloid structure governs this process remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the hnRNPA2 LCD forms a reproducible fibril fold and by combining structure-guided thermodynamic profiling, peptide design, mutagenesis and in vitro characterization under conditions with (two-phase) and without (one-phase) condensates, we define the molecular determinants of its assembly. We identify an aromatic triad within the fibril core that controls fibril formation kinetics and thermodynamic stability. Mutational analysis further reveals that condensate stability and fibril stability are largely independent. Finally, microrheology linked reduced condensate viscosity to faster fibril formation, supporting a role for condensate material properties in regulating aggregation kinetics. Together, these findings support a model in which the condensate-to-fibril transition is governed by the interplay between a disordered ''fuzzy coat'' and a fibril-forming aromatic triad within hnRNPA2. This work provides a structural framework for understanding how condensates can transition into amyloid assemblies.

biophysics↗