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Related Concept Videos

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
Anaphase A and B01:39

Anaphase A and B

Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
Microtubule Instability02:17

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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...
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.
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.
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Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Published on: June 23, 2022

Cell-length-dependent microtubule accumulation during polarization.

Dominique Seetapun1, David J Odde

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|May 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Cell polarization relies on microtubule (MT) dynamics, not selective stabilization. A simpler length-dependent model explains MT accumulation during axon formation in neurons.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cell polarization, or breaking symmetry, is crucial for cellular processes like neuron axon formation.
  • This process involves dynamic reorganization of microtubules (MTs).
  • A key hypothesis suggests "selective stabilization" of MTs drives polarization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of microtubule reorganization during cell polarization.
  • To test the "selective stabilization" model against a simpler "length-dependent" model.

Main Methods:

  • Tracking microtubule assembly dynamics in polarizing embryonic chick forebrain neurons.
  • Comparing experimental data with predictions from both models.

Main Results:

  • A simpler "length-dependent" model accurately predicts MT accumulation in the direction of growth.
  • Experimental data confirmed spatially and temporally constant MT assembly during axon formation.
  • This contradicts the "selective stabilization" hypothesis.

Conclusions:

  • Cell polarization can occur through length-dependent MT accumulation, without MT stabilization or capture.
  • Dynamic instability of MTs, influenced by cell shape changes, breaks cell symmetry.
  • This provides a simpler mechanism for how cells establish polarity.