Figure 6.

Energy distribution in a bundle relaxation experiment. The MT bundle is subjected to a torsional loading up to one turn and then the loading is removed at 1 μm. A steady state is reached at 2 μs. Release of the torsional load results in a sharp decrease in MT bending energy and a rapid increase in the proportion of MAP tau tensile energy. This suggests that MAP tau proteins try to recover the initial configuration of the bundle. Steric energy proportion remains roughly constant, suggesting that MT filaments spacing stays approximately constant during relaxation. To see this figure in color, go online.