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Author ORCID Identifier
N/A
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Year Degree Awarded
2015
Month Degree Awarded
September
First Advisor
Jennifer L. Ross
Subject Categories
Biophysics
Abstract
Microtubules, as an essential part of the cytoskeleton, require proper function as well as correct spatial and temporal localization. In order to achieve correct organization, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) regulate microtubule dynamics. Katanin, a known microtubule-severing enzyme from the AAA family of proteins, plays a role in regulating microtubules, but the mechanisms of microtubule control and the mechanism of severing activity remain to be elucidated. In the following studies I examine mechanisms of katanin-based regulation of microtubule dynamics using a single molecule biophysics approach. I use this simplified in vitro approach to change specific parameters to investigate how katanin targets microtubules with defects, how free tubulin regulates katanin severing activity, and how katanin and tau regulate dynamic microtubules. This work provides us with new insights as to how katanin targets both stable and dynamic microtubules as well as how katanin is regulated by other cellular components.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/7420028.0
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Megan E., "Biophysical Characterization of Katanin’s Regulation of Microtubules" (2015). Doctoral Dissertations. 466.
https://doi.org/10.7275/7420028.0
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/466