Enhanced dynamic instability of microtubules in a ROS free inert environment

- Dynamic instability of microtubules (MTs) was studied in the presence and absence of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- ROS significantly altered the dynamic instability of MTs.
- MTs showed enhanced dynamic instability in ROS free environment.
- ROS free environment ensured prolonged observation of dynamic instability of MTs.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), one of the regulators in various biological processes, have recently been suspected to modulate microtubule (MT) dynamics in cells. However due to complicated cellular environment and unavailability of any in vitro investigation, no detail is understood yet. Here, by performing simple in vitro investigations, we have unveiled the effect of ROS on MT dynamics. By studying dynamic instability of MTs in a ROS free environment and comparing with that in the presence of ROS, we disclosed that MTs showed enhanced dynamics in the ROS free environment. All the parameters that define dynamic instability of MTs e.g., growth and shrinkage rates, rescue and catastrophe frequencies were significantly affected by the presence of ROS. This work clearly reveals the role of ROS in modulating MT dynamics in vitro, and would be a great help in understanding the role of ROS in regulation of MT dynamics in cells.

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