caa a22 4500 605512760 CHVBK 20210128100657.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20150401xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s00894-015-2637-x doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s00894-015-2637-x Influence of GHz electric fields on the mechanical properties of a microtubule [Elektronische Daten] [S. Setayandeh, A. Lohrasebi] The effects of external GHz electric fields on the mechanical properties of a microtubule (MT) have been modeled through the application of a molecular dynamics simulation method. To explore the properties of the MT, two different systems each consisting of a pair of dimers were exposed to an 0.03V/nm electric field with a frequency ranging between 1 to 10GHz. It was found that the Young's modulus of each system, which is related to the flexibility of the MT, was lower at some frequencies and higher at others in comparison with normal biological conditions. Hence, the application of such an electric field with a frequency in this range may affect MT function, which could have positive or negative effects on cell health. Positive effects include its potential use in cancer treatment, where the application of such a field could lead to a decrease in MT rigidity, similar to the effect of Taxol on MTs. Negative effects include unwanted changes to the mechanical properties of MTs (e.g., disturbing the cell division process and in turn increasing the risk of cancer) upon the application of such a field. Graphical Abstract Schematic of the computational experiment performed, which mimicked AFM. The frozen group atoms (F) are fixed and the pulled group atoms (P) are connected to one end of the virtual spring. The virtual spring imparts a force on the pulled group atoms of the system. a Pulling test in the z-direction. b Pulling test in the x-direction. c Curves of average K versus electric field frequency with pulling in the z- or x-direction Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2015 Microtubule nationallicence External electric field nationallicence Molecular dynamics nationallicence Young's modulus nationallicence Setayandeh S. Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran aut Lohrasebi A. Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran aut Journal of Molecular Modeling Springer Berlin Heidelberg 21/4(2015-04-01), 1-7 1610-2940 21:4<1 2015 21 894 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00894-015-2637-x text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00894-015-2637-x text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Setayandeh S. Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Lohrasebi A. Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Journal of Molecular Modeling Springer Berlin Heidelberg 21/4(2015-04-01), 1-7 1610-2940 21:4<1 2015 21 894