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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo continuous assembly and disassembly. They originate from specialized multi-protein complexes known as microtubule organizing centers or MTOCs. Within the MTOC, the point of origin of the microtubule is known as the minus end, while the end radiating outward is the plus end. Microtubules serve two primary functions — the organization of spindle complexes to separate sister chromatids during mitotic or meiotic cell division and the formation of...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
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Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 3, 2023

Studying microtubules by electron microscopy.

Carolyn Moores1

  • 1School of Crystallography, Birkbeck College, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom.

Methods in Cell Biology
|July 12, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Electron microscopy is crucial for studying microtubules, essential components of eukaryotic cells involved in division and motility. This technique reveals their structure and function, bridging gaps left by other imaging methods.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Microtubules are key components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, vital for cell division and motility.
  • Their size and heterogeneity present challenges for structural analysis using methods other than electron microscopy.
  • Electron microscopy complements atomic resolution techniques and light microscopy for studying microtubule dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of current electron microscopy (EM) approaches for studying microtubules.
  • To highlight the importance of EM in understanding microtubule structure and function.
  • To discuss the role of EM in characterizing microtubule-associated proteins and their functions.

Main Methods:

  • Negative stain electron microscopy for initial overview and interaction studies.

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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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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast
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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

Published on: April 20, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
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Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 3, 2023

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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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast
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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

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  • Cryo-electron microscopy for high-resolution structure determination.
  • Electron tomography for reconstructing unique cellular entities and microtubule organization.

    • Main Results:

    • Electron microscopy offers versatile approaches to visualize microtubules at various resolutions.
    • Negative stain EM provides quick insights into microtubule structure and interactions.
    • Advanced EM techniques enable detailed structural and contextual analysis of microtubules within cells.

    Conclusions:

    • Electron microscopy is an indispensable tool for microtubule research, offering insights into structure, function, and interactions.
    • EM bridges resolution gaps between atomic-level structures and dynamic cellular processes.
    • Future EM studies will be critical for understanding the roles of newly discovered microtubule-associated proteins.