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Related Concept Videos

Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

Microtubules are the thickest cytoskeletal filaments with a diameter of 25 nm. In prokaryotic organisms, microtubules are commonly found in locomotory appendages like cilia and flagella. In eukaryotic cells, microtubules form specialized extensions for moving fluid over the surface, like those found in cells lining the intestine.
Microtubules have two structurally similar globular protein subunits: α and β tubulins. In the cytosol, the α and β tubulins form a heterodimer. These αβ-heterodimers...
Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

There are three types of cytoskeletal structures in eukaryotic cells—microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the thickest of these fibers. Microtubules carry out a variety of functions that include cell structure and support, transport of organelles, cell motility (movement), and the separation of chromosomes during cell division.Microtubules are hollow tubes whose walls are made up of globular tubulin proteins. Each tubulin...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
12:20

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Published on: March 15, 2014

Dam1 complexes go it alone on disassembling microtubules.

Melissa K Gardner1, David J Odde

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 312 Church Street SE, 7-132 Hasselmo Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.

Nature Cell Biology
|April 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A ring structure is not essential for kinetochores to grip disassembling microtubules. Individual Dam1 complexes can slide along microtubules and track their shortening tips.

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Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
12:20

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Published on: March 15, 2014

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
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Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular motors
  • Cytoskeleton dynamics

Background:

  • Kinetochores are crucial protein structures that attach chromosomes to spindle microtubules during cell division.
  • The Dam1 ring complex was hypothesized to provide a mechanical grip on microtubule plus ends via a sliding clamp mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the necessity of the Dam1 ring structure for maintaining kinetochore-microtubule attachment during microtubule depolymerization.
  • To determine the mechanism by which kinetochores track shortening microtubule plus ends.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro reconstitution assays using purified Dam1 complexes and microtubules.
  • Observation of Dam1 complex diffusion and tracking dynamics on depolymerizing microtubules.

Main Results:

  • The 16-member Dam1 ring is not required for kinetochores to maintain grip on disassembling microtubule plus ends.
  • Individual Dam1 complexes exhibit diffusive behavior on the microtubule lattice.
  • Dam1 complexes can effectively track shortening microtubule tips.

Conclusions:

  • Kinetochore-microtubule attachment does not strictly rely on a complete ring structure.
  • The sliding and tracking ability of individual Dam1 complexes contributes to maintaining attachment during microtubule depolymerization.