Topological Phonon Modes and their Role in Dynamic Instability of Microtubules

Abstract

Microtubules (MTs) are self-assembled hollow protein tubes playing important functions in live cells. Their building block is a protein called tubulin, which self-assembles in a particulate 2 dimensional lattice. We study the vibrational modes of this lattice and discuss the existence of topological vibrational modes localized at MTs edges. Since these modes are robust against the large changes occurring at the edges during the dynamic cycle of the MTs, we can build a simple mechanical model to illustrate their role in dynamic instability and the effect of taxol.