Intrinsic electric field as a control mechanism of intracellular transport along microtubules

Abstract

Cytoskeletal transport involves a combination ot microtuDuies witn Kinesin ana aynein moiors as well as the actin filaments with myosin motors. Such transport is essential for the creation and maintenance of cell organization; failed transport is implicated in neurodegeneration and other diseases. The general question of the mechanism of the transport direction regulation is still an open issue. We offer a new appealing mechanism for this regulation. It is based on the role of cellular intrinsic electrical fields as the switch tools in association with active impact of microtubules through nonlinear excitations of their flexible C-termini. Copyright © 2009 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.