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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

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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.

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Related Experiment Video

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Measurement of Microtubule Dynamics by Spinning Disk Microscopy in Monopolar Mitotic Spindles

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Published on: November 15, 2019

Microtubules to form memory.

Fuyuki Mitsuyama¹, Yoshio Futatsugi, Masato Okuya

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan. fmituyam@hotmail.com

Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology = Archivio Italiano Di Anatomia Ed Embriologia

|June 11, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New microtubule tracks form between the cell body and stimulated synapses, potentially enabling bidirectional signal transport for long-term memory (LTP) formation in CA1 neurons.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 neurons requires signal translocation to the postsynaptic membrane, including AMPA receptors, CaMKII, and mRNA.
LTP also necessitates protein synthesis and gene expression, suggesting synaptic signals may reach the nucleus.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of newly formed microtubule tracks in bidirectional signal transport during LTP in CA1 neurons.
To test the hypothesis of an "endless memory amplifying circuit" involving microtubule-mediated transport.

Main Methods:

Observation of microtubule formation in CA1 neurons following LTP-inducing stimulation.
Hypothesizing signal translocation pathways along newly formed microtubule tracks.

Main Results:

LTP-inducing stimulation results in the formation of new microtubule tracks between the cell body and the stimulated postsynaptic membrane in CA1 neurons.
These tracks are hypothesized to serve as conduits for bidirectional signal transport.

Conclusions:

Newly formed microtubule tracks may facilitate the "endless memory amplifying circuit" by transporting gene expression-promoting molecules to the nucleus and plasticity-promoting gene products back to the synapse.
This mechanism could be crucial for the sustained plasticity underlying long-term memory.