C-terminal cleavage of tubulin by subtilisin enhances ring formation.

Following cleavage of alpha- and beta-tubulin C termini, under mild conditions we observed that microtubule-related polymers were formed, and also that ring aggregates were abundant. These ring aggregates were clearly detected by turbidity and electron microscope studies under standard assembly conditions. It was found that removal of the C-terminal fragments of tubulin (phosphocellulose-tubulin or Weisenberg tubulin) markedly favored Mg2(+)-induced ring formation. Binding of GDP to the exchangeable nucleotide site of cleaved tubulin further enhanced ring formation. The cleaved tubulin-GDP ring aggregates could be classified into three types: aggregates without apparent order, bidimensionally ordered ring aggregates, and stacks of rings. Temperature had little effect on the formation of these ring aggregates; however, they were very sensitive to ionic strength.