Journal Article 1 Mention
Atomic water channel controlling remarkable properties of a single brain microtubule: Correlating single protein to its supramolecular assembly
Satyajit Sahu2013
Subrata GhoshBatu Ghosh
Top 2% · 98th Percentile
169 citations · Cell Biology
Open Access

Summary

1 Sample Definition And Size

The study measured properties of a single tubulin protein molecule and a single brain-neuron–extracted microtubule nanowire composed of approximately 40,000 tubulin dimers. The comparison was made between the microtubule with its internal water channel intact and after the water channel was released.

2 Study Type

Experimental observational study involving direct measurements of electronic and optical properties at the single-molecule and supramolecular assembly levels.

3 Conflicts Of Interest

No conflicts of interest are declared in the available metadata.

4 Results Summary

Key findings include: (1) The energy levels of a single tubulin protein and a microtubule composed of ~40,000 tubulin dimers are identical. (2) Transmitted AC power and transient fluorescence decay (single-photon count) are independent of microtubule length. (3) The microtubule nanowire exhibits higher conductivity than a single tubulin molecule. (4) Vibrational peaks condense into a single mode that governs size-independent electronic and optical properties and automated noise alleviation; these effects disappear when the atomic water core is removed. (5) The monomolecular water channel inside the microtubule controls these remarkable properties, enabling the nanotube to function like a single protein molecule regardless of its size.

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