Molecular and cellular biochemistry
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Apr 1993
Biochemical and electron microscopy analysis of the endotoxin binding to microtubules in vitro.
The mechanisms involved in cellular activation and damage by bacterial endotoxins are not completely defined. In particular, there is little information about possible intracellular targets of endotoxins. Recently, the participation of a microtubule associated protein in endotoxin actions on macrophages has been suggested. ⋯ Electron microscopy showed that LPS binds to microtubules of tubulin + MAPs and to microtubules of purified tubulin (without MAPs) polymerized with taxol. Gel filtration experiments confirmed the binding of LPS to tubulin, and by ligand blot assays an interaction LPS-MAP-2 was detected. The ability of LPS to interact with microtubular proteins suggests a possible participation of microtubules on the cellular effects of endotoxins.