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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.
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...
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
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...
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 26, 2026

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

Dynamic microtubules regulate dendritic spine morphology and synaptic plasticity.

Jacek Jaworski1, Lukas C Kapitein, Susana Montenegro Gouveia

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Neuron
|January 17, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Growing microtubule plus ends, tracked by EB3, enter dendritic spines and influence their shape. This process involves p140Cap/SNIP and cortactin, linking microtubule dynamics to synaptic plasticity and learning.

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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

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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

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

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dendritic spines are key sites for excitatory synapses.
  • Spine morphology changes are implicated in learning and memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microtubule dynamics in dendritic spine morphology.
  • To identify proteins involved in this process.

Main Methods:

  • Studied microtubule plus end tracking protein EB3.
  • Investigated p140Cap/SNIP as an EB3 interacting partner.
  • Used knockdown experiments and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.

Main Results:

  • Growing microtubule plus ends enter spines and modulate spine morphology.
  • p140Cap/SNIP is localized to spines and interacts with EB3 and cortactin.
  • Inhibition of microtubule dynamics or knockdown of EB3/p140Cap alters spine shape via actin cytoskeleton regulation.

Conclusions:

  • EB3-labeled microtubule ends regulate p140Cap localization and cortactin function.
  • This links dynamic microtubules to actin dynamics within dendritic spines.
  • The findings provide a mechanism connecting microtubule dynamics to synaptic plasticity.