Abstract
Azobenzene is a photochromic molecule that undergoes rapid and reversible isomerization between the cis- and trans-form in response to ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) light irradiation, respectively. Previously, we have incorporated azobenzene derivative into functional region of ATP driven motor protein and succeeded to control microtubule dependent ATPase activity reversibly by photo-irradiation. The results suggested that the photo-control system using photochromic molecules might be applicable to other functional biomolecules.It is known that tubulin utilize GTP to polymerize and the GTP is entrapped within the GTP binding site of tubulin. And the microtubules composed of GDP bound tubulin easily depolymerized. Interestingly, it was demonstrated the structure of the GTP analogue GMP-CPP bound microtubule is squigglier configuration than that of regular GTP bond microtubule. In the present study, we have employed photochromic nucleotide analogue, phenylazobenzoyl-iminoethyl-tri-Pphosphate (PABITP) in order to photo-control flexibility of microtubules. The PABITP bound microtubules showed much more flexible shape change during gliding on the in-vitro motility assay than regular GTP bound microtubule. The effect of photo-isomerization of PABITP entrapped within the site of microtubules induced by UV and VIS light irradiation for the flexibility of microtubules was also examined.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
