Microtubule self-organization is gravity-dependent

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Jul 18;97(15):8364-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.140029597.

Abstract

Although weightlessness is known to affect living cells, the manner by which this occurs is unknown. Some reaction-diffusion processes have been theoretically predicted as being gravity-dependent. Microtubules, a major constituent of the cellular cytoskeleton, self-organize in vitro by way of reaction-diffusion processes. To investigate how self-organization depends on gravity, microtubules were assembled under low gravity conditions produced during space flight. Contrary to the samples formed on an in-flight 1 x g centrifuge, the samples prepared in microgravity showed almost no self-organization and were locally disordered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Cattle
  • Gravitation*
  • Microtubules / physiology*
  • Space Flight
  • Weightlessness Simulation