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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
Published on: March 15, 2014
Preparing the way: fungal motors in microtubule organization
1Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse, D-35043 Marburg, Germany. gero.steinberg@mpi-marburg.mpg.de
Abstract:
Fungal growth, development and pathogenicity require hyphal tip growth, which is supported by polar exocytosis at the expanding growth region. It is assumed that molecular motors transport growth supplies along the fibrous elements of the cytoskeleton, such as microtubules, to the hyphal apex. Recent advances in live-cell imaging of fungi revealed additional roles for motors in organizing their own tracks. These unexpected roles of the molecular motors are modifying microtubule dynamics directly, targeting stability-determining factors to microtubule plus ends, and transporting and arranging already-assembled microtubules.
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