This clearly shows the role microtubules play in the emergence of consciousness and as well as the utility of microtubules in bird migration via the Earth’s magnetic fields.
Radical pairs may play a role in microtubule reorganization
Hadi Zadeh-Haghighicorresponding author1,2,3 and Christoph Simoncorresponding author1,2,3
Sci Rep. 2022; 12: 6109.
Abstract
The exact mechanism behind general anesthesia remains an open question in neuroscience. It has been proposed that anesthetics selectively prevent consciousness and memory via acting on microtubules (MTs).
It is known that the magnetic field modulates MT organization. A recent study shows that a radical pair model can explain the isotope effect in xenon-induced anesthesia and predicts magnetic field effects on anesthetic potency. Further, reactive oxygen species are also implicated in MT stability and anesthesia.
Based on a simple radical pair mechanism model and a simple mathematical model of MT organization, we show that magnetic fields can modulate spin dynamics of naturally occurring radical pairs in MT. We propose that the spin dynamics influence a rate in the reaction cycle, which translates into a change in the MT density. We can reproduce magnetic field effects on the MT concentration that have been observed. Our model also predicts additional effects at slightly higher fields.
Our model further predicts that the effect of zinc on the MT density exhibits isotopic dependence. The findings of this work make a connection between microtubule-based and radical pair-based quantum theories of consciousness.
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Quantum physics has been proposed to be part of the solution for the mystery of consciousness. In particular the holistic character of quantum entanglement might provide an answer to the binding problem14.
In the 1990s, Penrose and Hameroff proposed a theory of consciousness based on quantum computations in MTs15–18. Computational modeling suggested that electron resonance transfer among aromatic amino acid tryptophan (Trp) rings in tubulin (subunits of MTs) in a quantum electronic process could play roles in consciousness19. Craddock et al. showed that anesthetic molecules might bind in the same regions and hence result in loss of consciousness20.
In a recent experiment, Zhang et al. observed a connection between electronic states and vibrational states in tubulin and MTs21. However, quantum electronic coherence beyond ultrafast timescales demands more supporting evidence and has been recently challenged experimentally22. In contrast, quantum spin coherence could be preserved for much longer timescales23.
For example, Fisher has proposed that phosphorus nuclear spins could be entangled in networks of Posner molecules, Ca9(PO4)6, which could form the basis of a quantum mechanism for neural processing in the brain24. However, this particular spin-based model also requires more supporting evidence and recently has faced experimental challenges25.
Continuing our quest. This article may expand our knowledge of the incredible versatility of microtubules.
All Wired Up: An Exploration of the Electrical Properties of Microtubules and Tubulin
Abstract
Microtubules are hollow, cylindrical polymers of the protein α, β tubulin, that interact mechanochemically with a variety of macromolecules. Due to their mechanically robust nature, microtubules have gained attention as tracks for precisely directed transport of nanomaterials within lab-on-a-chip devices. Primarily due to the unusually negative tail-like C-termini of tubulin, recent work demonstrates that these biopolymers are also involved in a broad spectrum of intracellular electrical signaling.
Microtubules and their electrostatic properties are discussed in this Review, followed by an evaluation of how these biopolymers respond mechanically to electrical stimuli, through microtubule migration, electrorotation and C-termini conformation changes. Literature focusing on how microtubules act as nanowires capable of intracellular ionic transport, charge storage, and ionic signal amplification is reviewed, illustrating how these biopolymers attenuate ionic movement in response to electrical stimuli.
The Review ends with a discussion on the important questions, challenges, and future opportunities for intracellular microtubule-based electrical signaling.
Microtubules the seat of Consciousness - #162 by write4u
and
Active Alignment of Microtubules with Electric Fields
Abstract
The direction of translocation of microtubules on a surface coated with kinesin is usually random. Here we demonstrate and quantify the rate at which externally applied electric fields can direct moving microtubules parallel to the field by deflecting their leading end toward the anode.
Effects of electric field strength, kinesin surface density, and microtubule translocation speed on the rate of redirection of microtubules were analyzed statistically.
Furthermore, we demonstrated that microtubules can be steered in any desired direction via manipulation of externally applied E-fields.
more… https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/nl061474k
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