Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Display Microtubule Biomimetic Properties <i>in Vivo</i>, Enhancing Microtubule Assembly and Stabilization
Lidia Rodriguez-Fernandez
Rafael Valiente
Jesús Gonzalez
Juan C. Villegas
Mónica L. Fanarraga
10.1021/nn302222m.s001
https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Multiwalled_Carbon_Nanotubes_Display_Microtubule_Biomimetic_Properties_i_in_Vivo_i_Enhancing_Microtubule_Assembly_and_Stabilization/2492914
Microtubules are hollow protein cylinders of 25 nm diameter which are implicated in cytokinetics and proliferation in all eukaryotic cells. Here we demonstrate <i>in vivo</i> how multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) interact with microtubules in human cancer cells (HeLa) blocking mitosis and leading to cell death by apoptosis. Our data suggest that, inside the cells, MWCNTs display microtubule biomimetic properties, assisting and enhancing noncentrosomal microtubule polymerization and stabilization. These features might be useful for developing a revolutionary generation of chemotherapeutic agents based on nanomaterials.
2012-08-28 00:00:00
cancer cells
eukaryotic cells
chemotherapeutic agents
Enhancing Microtubule Assembly
noncentrosomal microtubule polymerization
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Display Microtubule Biomimetic Properties
cell death
protein cylinders
MWCNTs display microtubule biomimetic properties
25 nm diameter
multiwalled carbon nanotubes