X-Ray Exposed Tubulins During In vitro Polymerization Reactions: A Possible Approach for Radiation-induced Impacts on Microtubules

Abstract

Microtubules in the cytoplasm play an important role in a number of cellular processes. Radiation-induced impacts on microtubules, composed of αβ-tubulin heterodimers, remain to be determined. In this study, to clarify how tubulins damaged by radiation exposure affect the polymerization reaction, with a fluorescent tubulin polymerization assay kit, we investigated the interactions of X-ray exposed tubulins with intact ones during in vitro polymerization reactions. Our proposed approach may shed light on the emerging role of tubulin damage control for understanding how cellular functions are maintained after exposure to radiation.