We have recently taken some super-resolved images of live CHO-K1 cells expressing eGFP-tubulin. Some of the microtubule strands appear in the super-resolved image to be actually two tubules winding around each other, forming a sort double helix. Are microtubules expected to form such structures? Are there any good references (e.g. EM images) which we could compare with the structures we observe? Thanks!
Hi Radek
Microtubules have a high dynamic stability and yes they can form coiled structures by winding.
And another thing is bimC protein can assembly two microtubule together as antiparallely to each other but in your case coiled structures possible for the microtubules rather than bimC mediated assemblage.
İnşaAllah these informations will help you. Please see this article below.
Microtubules are not rigid and have a surprising flexibility - in cells they are known to curve, bend and buckle without braking. Bundling with the help of crosslinking proteins is also typical. Similarly, your description of microtubules winding around each other may involve microtubule organizing proteins. I would not be surprised if this has not been described before - super resolution is good for this but has become available only recently.
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