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.
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Kis, A., Kasas, S., Babić, B., Kulik, A., Benoît, W., Briggs, G., Schönenberger, C., Catsicas, S., & Forró, L. (2002). Nanomechanics of Microtubules. Physical Review Letters, 89(24), Article 248101. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.248101
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