Abstract
A fundamental property of some motor proteins is their ability to organize filaments in space (1). This property is a consequence of their oligomeric state, which makes them able to simultaneously bind two microtubules. Here, we describe an in vitro assay for the direct observation of the organization of microtubules by these motors. With this assay, patterns of microtubules are formed that reflect the morphogenetic abilities of the motors. The assay relies on the collective behavior of motors and microtubules in solution. It is, therefore, qualitatively different from methods based on immobilization of motor proteins, as, for example, in motility assays (2,3).
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Nédélec, F., Surrey, T. (2001). Assaying Spatial Organization of Microtubules by Kinesin Motors. In: Vernos, I. (eds) Kinesin Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 164. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-069-1:213
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-069-1:213
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-766-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-069-8
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