Kinklike excitations as an energy-transfer mechanism in microtubules

Abstract

A model is presented that is intended to provide a realistic physical picture of the energy-transfer mechanism in cell microtubules. A classical ${\mathrm{\phi }}^4$ model in the presence of a constant electric field is used as a conceptual basis. It is demonstrated that kinklike excitations arise as a result of the guanosine 5’-triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis and that an intrinsic electrical force may cause them to propagate along a microtubule. A discussion is given on the possible effects of these excitations on the dynamics of microtubules.