Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

MCAK/Kif2C centromeric activity level tunes K-fiber turnover through distinct pathways.

iScience·2026
Same author

Linda Wordeman.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Dominant α-tubulin mutations rescue tauopathy neurodegenerative phenotypes in <i>C. elegans</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

The β<sub>2</sub>-adrenoceptor agonist formoterol attenuates hallmarks of adrenal Cushing's syndrome.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same author

AKAP2 is required for assembly of cytoskeletal signaling complexes that promote growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2026
Same author

The kinesin motor Kif9 regulates centriolar satellite positioning during interphase.

Current biology : CB·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
08:44

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy

Published on: July 20, 2022

The diffusive interaction of microtubule binding proteins.

Jeremy R Cooper1, Linda Wordeman

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|February 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Microtubule lattice diffusion offers a second mode of transport for microtubule binding proteins, distinct from motor proteins. This diffusional motility provides speed and energy-independent movement, with electrostatic interactions playing a key role.

More Related Videos

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

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
08:44

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy

Published on: July 20, 2022

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

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Microtubule-based motility is traditionally associated with motor proteins like kinesin and dynein.
  • A less-explored mechanism, microtubule lattice diffusion, also facilitates transport along microtubules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight microtubule lattice diffusion as a significant mode of intracellular transport.
  • To discuss the advantages and underlying mechanisms of diffusional motility along microtubules.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis of microtubule binding proteins.
  • Comparison with analogous diffusion mechanisms, such as DNA binding proteins.

Main Results:

  • Microtubule lattice diffusion is a shared transport mechanism for numerous microtubule-binding proteins.
  • This mode offers advantages including speed, bidirectional end-targeting, and independence from ATP hydrolysis.
  • Electrostatic interactions are suggested as a primary binding mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubule lattice diffusion represents a fundamental and efficient transport strategy in cells.
  • Understanding this mechanism provides new insights into protein dynamics and cellular organization.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the binding mechanisms involved.