research article
Nanomechanics of Microtubules
We have determined the mechanical anisotropy of a single microtubule by simultaneously measuring the Young's and the shear moduli in vitro. This was achieved by elastically deforming the microtubule deposited on a substrate tailored by electron-beam lithography with a tip of an atomic force microscope. The shear modulus is 2 orders of magnitude lower than the Young's, giving rise to a length-dependent flexural rigidity of microtubules. The temperature dependence of the microtubule's bending stiffness in the (5-40) degreesC range shows a strong variation upon cooling coming from the increasing interaction between the protofilaments.
Type
research article
Web of Science ID
WOS:000179484700052
Author(s)
Date Issued
2002
Publisher
Published in
Volume
89
Issue
24
Article Number
248101
Subjects
Editorial or Peer reviewed
REVIEWED
Written at
EPFL
Available on Infoscience
March 19, 2010
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