As a microtubule shortens, its protofilaments curl outwards before crumbling away. Image credit: Adapted from Murray et al. (CC BY 4.0)
Dividing cells duplicate their genetic information to create identical pairs of chromosomes, which then need to be equally distributed to the two future daughter cells. In preparation, each chromosome in a pair is pulled towards its final location by hollow tubes of proteins known as microtubules. To create this tugging force, the microtubule acts like a winch: the extremity attached to the chromosome gradually shortens by losing its building blocks. However, it is not clear how the microtubule can keep its grip on the chromosome while also ‘falling apart’ in this way.
A possible explanation could stem from the way that microtubules are built, and from how they fall apart. Each tube is composed of rows of building blocks, called ‘protofilaments’. As the microtubule shortens, the protofilaments first curl outwards before crumbling apart; this creates a curling action that could ‘hook’ the chromosome and pull on it as the microtubule shortens. This theory remains difficult to test however, in part because scientists lack ways to alter the properties of curling protofilaments in order to dissect how they work.
Murray et al. aimed to fill that gap by using a technique they have previously developed, and which allows them to capture how much force curling protofilaments can apply on their environment. This approach uses an instrument known as laser tweezers to measure the pressure that microtubules exert on attached beads. With this assay, Murray et al. were able to investigate whether microtubule ‘strength’ is linked to protofilament length, a property that varies between species and in response to magnesium. The experiments revealed that adding magnesium not only lengthens protofilament curls but also increases the work generated from curling. In addition, they showed that yeast protofilaments create longer curls with more force compared to bovine microtubules. Together, these findings demonstrate that it is possible to fine-tune the force exerted by protofilaments on their environment by controlling their length. This knowledge could be helpful to scientists investigating the role of microtubules in cell division.
Certain cancer drugs already target microtubules in order to stop rogue cells from multiplying. However, serious side-effects often emerge because these compounds also interfere with microtubule-based processes essential for healthy cells. By better understanding how protofilaments ‘pull’ on chromosomes, it may become possible to design targeted approaches to stop cell division but preserve the other fundamental roles that microtubules play in the body.
