Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
Published on: March 15, 2014
Intraflagellar transport balances continuous turnover of outer doublet microtubules: implications for flagellar
1Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. wallace.marshall@yale.edu
Abstract:
A central question in cell biology is how cells determine the size of their organelles. Flagellar length control is a convenient system for studying organelle size regulation. Mechanistic models proposed for flagellar length regulation have been constrained by the assumption that flagella are static structures once they are assembled. However, recent work has shown that flagella are dynamic and are constantly turning over. We have determined that this turnover occurs at the flagellar tips, and that the assembly portion of the turnover is mediated by intraflagellar transport (IFT). Blocking IFT inhibits the incorporation of tubulin at the flagellar tips and causes the flagella to resorb. These results lead to a simple steady-state model for flagellar length regulation by which a balance of assembly and disassembly can effectively regulate flagellar length.
Related Concept Videos
Microtubule Instability
Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins
Microtubules in Cell Motility
Microtubule Instability
Anaphase A and B
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
Microtubules in Cell Motility

