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Related Concept Videos

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.
Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
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...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
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: Jun 28, 2026

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software
07:45

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Published on: September 27, 2024

Microtubules in dendritic spine development.

Jiaping Gu1, Bonnie L Firestein, James Q Zheng

  • 1Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|November 14, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Microtubules (MTs) are newly found in dendritic spines, influencing their shape and function. Targeting MTs impacts spine formation, revealing their crucial role in neural plasticity.

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Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons
11:48

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Published on: July 13, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software
07:45

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Published on: September 27, 2024

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons
11:48

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Published on: July 13, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Dynamics

Background:

  • Dendritic spines, crucial for neural communication, were thought to be solely regulated by actin filaments.
  • The role of other cytoskeletal components, like microtubules, within spines remained largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and function of microtubules (MTs) within dendritic spines.
  • To determine the impact of MT dynamics on spine morphology and plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized shRNA to knockdown the microtubule plus-end-binding protein EB3.
  • Administered low doses of taxol (stabilizer) and nocodazole (inhibitor) to modulate MTs.
  • Assessed spine formation in response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Main Results:

  • Microtubules (MTs) were confirmed to be present within dendritic spines.
  • EB3 knockdown significantly reduced spine formation.
  • Taxol treatment enhanced BDNF-induced spine formation, while nocodazole impaired it.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubules (MTs) actively participate in the regulation of dendritic spine development.
  • MT dynamics are critical for controlling spine morphology and plasticity.
  • Findings challenge the traditional view, highlighting MTs as key players in synaptic plasticity.