Osmotic effects of tubulin (brain contractile protein) polymerization. A possible role in cell salt and water regulation.

Abstract

Polymerization changes of tubulin (a contractile protein of brain) induced by temperature increase from 4 degrees C to 25 degrees C caused a large (85%) decrease in measured osmotic pressure of the tubulin. This indicates that contractile proteins within cells may be expected to play a significant role in cell osmotic equilibria.