Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues
07:21

Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues

Published on: November 17, 2023

Modelling the microtubule: towards a better understanding of short-chain fatty acid molecular pharmacology

Josephine Kilner1, Bernard M Corfe, Stephen J Wilkinson

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, ChELSI Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Molecular Biosystems
|February 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acting as histone deacetylase inhibitors, disrupt microtubule (MT) function in colon cancer cells by altering tubulin isotypes. Systems biology models can reveal novel therapeutic strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Systems biology
  • Cancer research
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are chemopreventive compounds produced in the colon.
  • SCFAs impair microtubule (MT) function in colon cancer cells by altering β-tubulin isotype expression.
  • The "tubulin code" influences MT-associated proteins, kinesins, and post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs), affecting cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how SCFAs, as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi's), affect tubulin dynamics, modifications, and isotypes.
  • To explore the role of systems biology in understanding SCFA-mediated disruption of cytoskeletal function.
  • To propose novel therapeutic strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SCFAs, tubulin, MT dynamics, and systems biology.
  • Analysis of mechanistic models describing tubulin-MT structure and dynamics.
  • Integration of models for transcription and cell cycle regulation.

Main Results:

  • SCFAs, functioning as HDACi's, promote protein acetylation, including histones and cytoskeletal proteins.
  • Alterations in β-tubulin isotype composition by SCFAs impact MT function and the "tubulin code".
  • Disruption of the MT cytoskeleton is a key target for cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Systems biology approaches, integrating experimental data and computational models, are crucial for understanding SCFA effects on cytoskeletal function.
  • Mechanistic models can generate hypotheses for how SCFAs disrupt cellular processes in colon cancer.
  • Developing and elaborating these models offers potential for novel cancer therapies.

More Related Videos

Sequential Blood Collection from Inferior Vena Cava Followed by Portal Vein to Evaluate Gut Microbial Metabolites in Mice04:09

Sequential Blood Collection from Inferior Vena Cava Followed by Portal Vein to Evaluate Gut Microbial Metabolites in Mice

Published on: June 21, 2024

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends12:20

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Published on: March 15, 2014

Related Concept Videos

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...
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
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 Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo continuous assembly and disassembly. They originate from specialized multi-protein complexes known as microtubule organizing centers or MTOCs. Within the MTOC, the point of origin of the microtubule is known as the minus end, while the end radiating outward is the plus end. Microtubules serve two primary functions — the organization of spindle complexes to separate sister chromatids during mitotic or meiotic cell division and the formation 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...