A review of the ferroelectric model of microtubules

It has been 25 years since the piezoelectric properties of the microtubule were first discussed. Subsequent to the discovery of its piezoelectric prop erties, its consequences have been observed in experiments which have shown microtubules to align under the influence of electric fields. In this rega rd, our investigations have sought to determine in which situations the fer roelectric properties are important for the function of the microtubule, an d in addition, how the microtubule may be affected by the transient endogen ous electric fields of living cells. We report a summary of recent findings and discuss their implications.