Velocity modulation of microtubules in electric fields.

Nano letters · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2780

Study snapshot

PublicationNano letters · 2008

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

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.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 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": 0.74,
  "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 and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1021/nl801837j
PubMed: 19367799

Read the original paper →

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