Comprehensive understanding of the role of microtubule in cellular mechanotransduction

• Project/Area Number: 22K18165
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: NASRIN Syeda.Rubaiya 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 博士研究員 (00917958)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2022)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2023: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000); Fiscal Year 2022: ¥2,470,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥570,000)
• Keywords: Mechanical stress / Microtubule / Motor Protein / in vitro / MD simulation

Outline of Research at the Start

Microtubules (MTs) have recently gained attention as mechanosensors. Based on the finding that mechanically deformed MTs alter kinesin transport dynamics, I hypothesize that MTs are mechanotransducers. The present study will utilize the recently developed "micro stretcher" that applies mechanical stress on MTs in vitro and supports simultaneous fluorescence imaging to address issues like how mechanical stress-induced deformation of MT affect motor protein transport dynamics, if the dynamics are restored upon withdrawing stress and its theoretical basis from molecular dynamics simulation.