Cross-sections of microtubules assembled in vitro from microtubule
protein (tubulin plus microtubule-associated proteins) in the presence
of taxol. Transmission electron micrograph obtained after tannin-glutaraldehyde
fixation, ultrathin sectioning, and poststaining with lead citrate. The
microtubules have typically 13 or 14 protofilaments. Taxol, known to promote
tubulin assembly and to stabilize microtubules, causes the appearance of
some C-shaped protofilament ribbons.
See also: Böhm
K.J., Vater W., Fenske H., Unger E.: Effect of microtubule-associated proteins
on the protofilament number of microtubules assembled in vitro. Biochim.
Biophys. Acta 800, 119-126 (1984)
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