Structural studies of tubulin from Antarctic Fish

Microtubules (MTs) are ubiquitous cytoskeletal filaments composed of tubulin αβ dimers that participate in essential cellular processes, including mitosis and meiosis, intracellular transport and cell motility. Although much has been learned regarding microtubule assembly and function in “medium” temperature eukaryotes, relatively little is known in psychrophilic ectotherms (“cold-loving” organisms) whose body temperatures are determined by the environment. Here, we want to study the functional properties of tubulins from Antarctic Fishes (body temperatures = -2 to +2°C) which have demonstrated their ability to form microtubules at low temperatures. We would like to determine the structural bases of microtubule assembly analyzing the dimer of tubulin of Antartic Fishes in the presence of a DARPin (Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein) designed to block tubulin polymerization and in presence of different GTP analogs. Future aim would also be the analysis of polymerized MTs at 0°C.