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Open data
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Basic information
| Entry | Database: PDB / ID: 9r4y | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Title | 15 protofilament P. falciparum GMPCPP microtubule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Keywords | STRUCTURAL PROTEIN / Malaria / parasite / cytoskeleton / microtubule / GMPCPP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Function / homology | Function and homology informationCilium Assembly / Carboxyterminal post-translational modifications of tubulin / Platelet degranulation / Aggrephagy / HSP90 chaperone cycle for steroid hormone receptors (SHR) in the presence of ligand / Neutrophil degranulation / structural constituent of cytoskeleton / microtubule cytoskeleton organization / mitotic cell cycle / microtubule ...Cilium Assembly / Carboxyterminal post-translational modifications of tubulin / Platelet degranulation / Aggrephagy / HSP90 chaperone cycle for steroid hormone receptors (SHR) in the presence of ligand / Neutrophil degranulation / structural constituent of cytoskeleton / microtubule cytoskeleton organization / mitotic cell cycle / microtubule / hydrolase activity / GTPase activity / GTP binding / metal ion binding / nucleus / cytoplasm Similarity search - Function | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Biological species | ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Method | ELECTRON MICROSCOPY / helical reconstruction / cryo EM / Resolution: 2.9 Å | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Authors | Bangera, M. / Moores, C.A. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Funding support | United Kingdom, 1items
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Citation | Journal: Nat Commun / Year: 2026Title: Adaptations in Plasmodium tubulin determine distinct microtubule architectures, mechanics and drug susceptibility. Authors: Mamata Bangera / Jiangbo Wu / Daniel Beckett / Dominik Fachet / Josie L Ferreira / Gregory A Voth / Simone Reber / Carolyn A Moores / ![]() Abstract: Microtubules are ubiquitous yet diverse cytoskeleton filaments. However, tubulin conservation presents challenges in understanding the origins of diverse microtubule architectures. The mechanisms by ...Microtubules are ubiquitous yet diverse cytoskeleton filaments. However, tubulin conservation presents challenges in understanding the origins of diverse microtubule architectures. The mechanisms by which microtubule architecture varies through the life cycle of the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium are not understood and provide a valuable framework for exploring how intrinsic properties of tubulin contribute to architectural variety. Using parasite-purified tubulin, we determine P. falciparum microtubule structures by cryo-electron microscopy. Parasite-specific sequences change the tubulin dimer structure, suggesting how drug susceptibility and polymer properties are modified. Within the P. falciparum microtubule, lateral contacts are smaller but stronger, and the lattice is stiffer than in brain microtubules. Non-canonical microtubule architectures found in parasites are highly similar to those observed in vitro, validating the physiological relevance of these properties. Our findings show how evolutionary adaptation of tubulin modulates the material properties of the microtubule cytoskeleton. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Structure visualization
| Structure viewer | Molecule: Molmil Jmol/JSmol |
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Downloads & links
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Download
| PDBx/mmCIF format | 9r4y.cif.gz | 181.3 KB | Display | PDBx/mmCIF format |
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| PDB format | pdb9r4y.ent.gz | 139.5 KB | Display | PDB format |
| PDBx/mmJSON format | 9r4y.json.gz | Tree view | PDBx/mmJSON format | |
| Others | Other downloads |
-Validation report
| Arichive directory | https://data.pdbj.org/pub/pdb/validation_reports/r4/9r4y ftp://data.pdbj.org/pub/pdb/validation_reports/r4/9r4y | HTTPS FTP |
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-Related structure data
| Related structure data | ![]() 53572MC ![]() 9r4xC M: map data used to model this data C: citing same article ( |
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| Similar structure data | Similarity search - Function & homology F&H Search |
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Links
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Assembly
| Deposited unit | ![]()
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Components
| #1: Protein | Mass: 50348.820 Da / Num. of mol.: 1 / Source method: isolated from a natural source / Source: (natural) ![]() | ||||||
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| #2: Protein | Mass: 49797.781 Da / Num. of mol.: 1 / Source method: isolated from a natural source / Source: (natural) ![]() | ||||||
| #3: Chemical | ChemComp-GTP / | ||||||
| #4: Chemical | | #5: Chemical | ChemComp-G2P / | Has ligand of interest | N | Has protein modification | N | |
-Experimental details
-Experiment
| Experiment | Method: ELECTRON MICROSCOPY |
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| EM experiment | Aggregation state: FILAMENT / 3D reconstruction method: helical reconstruction |
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Sample preparation
| Component | Name: 15 protofilament GMPCPP microtubule / Type: ORGANELLE OR CELLULAR COMPONENT / Entity ID: #1-#2 / Source: NATURAL |
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| Molecular weight | Value: 12.5 kDa/nm / Experimental value: NO |
| Source (natural) | Organism: ![]() |
| Buffer solution | pH: 6.8 / Details: BRB80 buffer - 80 mM PIPES, 2mM MgCl2, 1mM EGTA |
| Specimen | Conc.: 0.8 mg/ml / Embedding applied: NO / Shadowing applied: NO / Staining applied: NO / Vitrification applied: YES Details: Tubulin was mixed with GMPCPP and kept in ice for 10 minutes followed by incubation in a water bath at 37 degrees for 2 hours. |
| Specimen support | Grid material: COPPER / Grid mesh size: 400 divisions/in. / Grid type: C-flat-2/2 |
| Vitrification | Cryogen name: ETHANE / Humidity: 100 % / Chamber temperature: 298 K Details: GMPCPP microtubules were applied once or twice to a glow-discharged grid and incubated in a pre-equilibrated Vitrobot for 30 seconds at room temperature. Excess liquid was blotted off, and ...Details: GMPCPP microtubules were applied once or twice to a glow-discharged grid and incubated in a pre-equilibrated Vitrobot for 30 seconds at room temperature. Excess liquid was blotted off, and the grid was plunge frozen in liquid ethane. |
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Electron microscopy imaging
| Experimental equipment | ![]() Model: Titan Krios / Image courtesy: FEI Company |
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| Microscopy | Model: TFS KRIOS |
| Electron gun | Electron source: FIELD EMISSION GUN / Accelerating voltage: 300 kV / Illumination mode: FLOOD BEAM |
| Electron lens | Mode: BRIGHT FIELD / Nominal magnification: 81000 X / Nominal defocus max: 2200 nm / Nominal defocus min: 700 nm |
| Specimen holder | Cryogen: NITROGEN / Specimen holder model: FEI TITAN KRIOS AUTOGRID HOLDER |
| Image recording | Electron dose: 48.51 e/Å2 / Film or detector model: GATAN K3 BIOQUANTUM (6k x 4k) |
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Processing
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| CTF correction | Type: PHASE FLIPPING AND AMPLITUDE CORRECTION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Helical symmerty | Angular rotation/subunit: -24.04 ° / Axial rise/subunit: 8.17 Å / Axial symmetry: C15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Particle selection | Num. of particles selected: 115668 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3D reconstruction | Resolution: 2.9 Å / Resolution method: FSC 0.143 CUT-OFF / Num. of particles: 41886 / Symmetry type: HELICAL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atomic model building | Details: The refined atomic model for a tubulin dimer from the 13 protofilament P. falciparum GDP-paclitaxel microtubule was used as an initial model Source name: Other / Type: in silico model |
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About Yorodumi






United Kingdom, 1items
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FIELD EMISSION GUN