Velocity modulation of microtubules in electric fields.

PAPER pubmed Nano letters 2008 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1021/nl801837j PMID: 19367799 Evidence Lab

Abstract

We show that the speed of microtubules gliding over a kinesin-coated surface can be controlled over a wide range of values by the application of an electric field. The speed can be increased by up to a factor of 5 compared to the speed at zero field when assisting forces are applied and slowed down to zero velocity for opposing fields. Sideways applied fields also induce significant motion. The kinesin surface density impacts the rate of velocity change, whereas the ATP concentration does not seem to play a major role, provided that it is nonzero. A simple grab-and-release model is presented that explains the velocity change with applied electric fields.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

—

Sample size

—

Exposure

applied electric field

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Applying an electric field modulated the speed of microtubules gliding over a kinesin-coated surface, increasing speed up to ~5× under assisting forces and reducing speed to zero under opposing fields. Sideways applied fields induced significant motion; kinesin surface density affected the rate of velocity change, while ATP concentration (if nonzero) did not appear to play a major role.

Outcomes measured

microtubule gliding speed/velocity over kinesin-coated surface
induced sideways motion under sideways applied fields

Limitations

No electric-field parameters (e.g., field strength, waveform/frequency, exposure duration) are provided in the abstract.
No sample size or replication details are provided in the abstract.
In vitro system; findings may not generalize beyond the experimental setup.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "applied electric field",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "microtubule gliding speed/velocity over kinesin-coated surface",
        "induced sideways motion under sideways applied fields"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Applying an electric field modulated the speed of microtubules gliding over a kinesin-coated surface, increasing speed up to ~5× under assisting forces and reducing speed to zero under opposing fields. Sideways applied fields induced significant motion; kinesin surface density affected the rate of velocity change, while ATP concentration (if nonzero) did not appear to play a major role.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No electric-field parameters (e.g., field strength, waveform/frequency, exposure duration) are provided in the abstract.",
        "No sample size or replication details are provided in the abstract.",
        "In vitro system; findings may not generalize beyond the experimental setup."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electric field",
        "microtubules",
        "kinesin",
        "gliding assay",
        "velocity modulation",
        "ATP concentration",
        "surface density",
        "grab-and-release model"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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