Electrical oscillations in microtubules

" This article introduces a multi-scale electrokinetic model incorporating atomistic protein details and biological environments to characterize electrical impulses along microtubules." {Credits 1}

" The present study provides a unified framework for understanding how MTs sustain and regulate electrical oscillations through their intrinsic nanostructure. Central to this behavior is the presence of nanopores located at the interfaces between α- and β-tubulin subunits. These nanopores form aqueous, ion-permeable channels that couple the lumen and the outer surface of the MT wall. Their voltage-dependent gating behavior introduces nonlinear conductance into the MT lattice, which is essential for the generation and propagation of oscillatory ionic currents." {Credits 1}

" Previous work from our group has demonstrated that two-dimensional MT sheets exhibit spontaneous electrical oscillations under voltage-clamp conditions, even in the absence of external energy sources. These oscillations are frequency-rich, stable, and display entrainment under external stimuli, consistent with the presence of intrinsic feedback mechanisms within the polymer. The data strongly support the view that ionic exchange through nanopores—rather than through the open MT ends—is the key determinant of this activity. In this model, the nanopores act as ionic gates, alternating between conductive and non-conductive states in response to local electrostatic and mechanical conditions. The collective gating of these nanopores produces oscillatory currents that propagate along the MT, much like self-sustained waves in coupled transmission lines." {Credits 1}

" The functional relevance of nanopores was further confirmed by the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel (Taxol) on MT electrical oscillations. Taxol binds to β-tubulin within the MT wall and stabilizes the polymer by suppressing dynamic instability. At the same time, its diffusion through the nanopores is essential for reaching its binding site, making these structures direct pharmacological targets." {Credits 1}

" Further support for the nanopore hypothesis comes from our recent findings that Gadolinium (Gd3+)—a trivalent lanthanide known to block mechanosensitive and voltage-gated ion channels—also abolishes MT oscillations [11]. Gd3+ interacts strongly with negatively charged residues such as glutamate and aspartate, which are abundant at the nanopore lining of the αβ-tubulin interfaces." {Credits 1}

{Credits 1} 🎪 Mohsin, M., Cantiello, H.F., Cantero, M.R. et al. Electrical oscillations in microtubules. Sci Rep 15, 41106 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24920-w. © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.