The Dendritic Cytoskeleton as a Computational Device: An Hypothesis

Priel, Avner; Tuszyński, Jack A.; Cantiello, Horacio F.

doi:10.1007/3-540-36723-3_8

Cited by 22 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 127 publications

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“…Seeds are just two sets of three adjacent cells each, at positions (6,7,8) and (12,13,14). Cell 7 is initialised at 00010, cell 8 and 12 at 00100, cell 13 at 01000.…”

Section: Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are responsible for keeping a cell shape and implementing the cell's motility but also they play a role of the cell's nervous system: together with extracellular matrix [1] the intracellular networks of proteins process information and implement learning [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. By modulating dendritic ion channel activity actin filaments determine rule of neural information processing and facilitate computational abilities of dendritic trees via facilitation of ionic condensation and ion cloud propagation [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Actin quantum automata: Communication and computation in molecular networks

Siccardi

Adamatzky

2015

Nano Communication Networks

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“…Seeds are just two sets of three adjacent cells each, at positions (6,7,8) and (12,13,14). Cell 7 is initialised at 00010, cell 8 and 12 at 00100, cell 13 at 01000.…”

Section: Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Actin quantum automata: Communication and computation in molecular networks

Siccardi

Adamatzky

2015

Nano Communication Networks

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“…Lattice vibrations introduce periodic oscillations about the equilibrium lattice spacing. It can be readily found that the resultant exciton-phonon coupling constant, with respect to the dipole-dipole constant, is proportional to 3 x/r 0 , where x is the amplitude of lattice oscillations roughly corresponding to the expressions in (8) and r 0 is the equilibrium lattice spacing. Therefore, at 310 K, we estimate the relative value of the exciton-phonon constant as only 1% of the dipole-dipole energy.…”

Section: The Exciton Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A concise explanation of the role of MT computation in the overall function of a neuron is given by Priel et al [8] in their hypothesis of the dendritic cytoskeleton as a computational device. In their model, electrical signals from a presynaptic neuron arrive at the postsynaptic density within a dendritic spine.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to MTs propagating cellular signals, interactions between MTs and membrane activities have been clearly recognized [9][10][11]. Processes directly involved in the functioning of the brain, such as ion channels opening and closing, enzymes catalysis, motor proteins moving cargo inside cells, and the propagation of ionic waves along filaments, may also be inextricably linked to the function of MTs [8,12]. During a critical period of visual development, neurons in the visual cortex produce massive amounts of tubulin [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A critical assessment of the information processing capabilities of neuronal microtubules using coherent excitations

Craddock

Tuszyński

2009

J Biol Phys

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Evidence for signaling, communication, and conductivity in microtubules (MTs) has been shown through both direct and indirect means, and theoretical models predict their potential use in both classical and quantum information processing in neurons. The notion of quantum information processing within neurons has been implicated in the phenomena of consciousness, although controversies have arisen in regards to adverse physiological temperature effects on these capabilities. To investigate the possibility of quantum processes in relation to information processing in MTs, a biophysical MT model is used based on the electrostatic interior of the tubulin protein. The interior is taken to constitute a double-well potential structure within which a mobile electron is considered capable of occupying at least two distinct quantum states. These excitonic states together with MT lattice vibrations determine the state space of individual tubulin dimers within the MT lattice. Tubulin dimers are taken as quantum well structures containing an electron that can exist in either its ground state or first excited state. Following previous models involving the mechanisms of exciton energy propagation, we estimate the strength of exciton and phonon interactions and their effect on the formation and dynamics of coherent exciton domains within MTs. Also, estimates of energy and timescales for excitons, phonons, their interactions, and thermal effects are presented. Our conclusions cast doubt on the possibility of sufficiently long-lived coherent exciton/phonon structures existing at physiological temperatures in the absence of thermal isolation mechanisms. These results are discussed in comparison with previous models based on quantum effects in non-polar hydrophobic regions, which have yet to be disproved.

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Actin filaments modulate electrical activity of brain microtubule protein two‐dimensional sheets

2020

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The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells contains networks of actin filaments and microtubules (MTs) that are jointly implicated in various cell functions, including cell division, morphogenesis, and migration. In neurons, this synergistic activity drives both the formation of axons during development and synaptic activity in mature neurons. Both actin filaments and MTs also are highly charged polyelectrolytes that generate and conduct electrical signals. However, no information is presently available on a potential electrical crosstalk between these two cytoskeletal networks. Herein we tested the effect of actin polymerization on the electrical oscillations generated by two‐dimensional sheets of bovine brain microtubule protein (2D‐MT). The voltage‐clamped 2D‐MT sheets displayed spontaneous electrical oscillations representing a synchronous 224% change in conductance, and a fundamental frequency of 38 Hz. At 60 mV, a 4.15 nC of integrated charge transferred per second increased by 72.3% (7.15 nC) after addition of monomeric (G)‐actin. This phenomenon had a 2‐min lag time, and was prevented by the presence of the G‐actin‐binding protein DNAse I. Addition of prepolymerized F‐actin, however, had a rapid onset (<10 s) and a higher effect on the tubulin sheets (~100% increase, 8.25 nC). The data are consistent with an interaction between the actin cytoskeleton and tubulin structures, in what seems to be an electrostatic effect. Because actin filaments and MTs interact with each other in neurons, it is possible for this phenomenon to be present, and of relevance in the processing of intracellular signaling, including the gating and activation of actin cytoskeleton‐regulated excitable ion channels in neurons.

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The Dendritic Cytoskeleton as a Computational Device: An Hypothesis

Cited by 22 publications

References 127 publications

Actin quantum automata: Communication and computation in molecular networks

Actin quantum automata: Communication and computation in molecular networks

A critical assessment of the information processing capabilities of neuronal microtubules using coherent excitations

Actin filaments modulate electrical activity of brain microtubule protein two‐dimensional sheets

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