Nonlinear Model of Microtubule Dynamics

Abstract

This article elaborates on the nonlinear model based on ferroelectric properties of microtubules and triggered by hydrolysis of GTP followed by conversion of chemical energy into large conformational movement named dynamical transition. We attempted to elucidate several functional properties of microtubules on the basis of this elegant model. The possible role of endogenous electric fields as control mechanism of kink dynamics is emphasized.

Keywords:

• Dynamical instability
• Dynamical transition
• Ferroelectric
• GTP
• α-helix
• Kink
• Microtubule
• Motor protein
• Relay helix
• Tubulin protein