Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Instability

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 Instability

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...

Destabilization of Microtubules

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...

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

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...

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

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...

Anaphase A and B

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Vitrification with shortened equilibration across human embryonic developmental stages: a proof-of-concept study.

Human reproduction open·2026

Same author

Fertility preservation using controlled ovarian stimulation in breast cancer: a comparative study of neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings.

Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics·2026

Same author

Nuclear speckles are regulatory hubs for viral and host mRNA expression during HSV-1 infection.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Targeting bladder cancer: Potent anti-cancer effects of cannabichromene and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-rich <i>Cannabis sativa</i> strains.

Asian journal of urology·2025

Same author

Age-Based Oocyte Yield in Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Same author

Granulosa-cumulus cells global transcriptome sequencing as a predictor of embryo development: a preliminary study.

Minerva obstetrics and gynecology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 15, 2014

Nek7 kinase accelerates microtubule dynamic instability.

Sivan Cohen¹, Adva Aizer, Yaron Shav-Tal

¹Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|January 15, 2013

Summary

NIMA-related kinases (NRK or Nek) regulate cell division and cilia. Nek7 impacts microtubule (MT) dynamics, affecting growth, catastrophe, and overall MT movement, crucial for cell processes.

More Related Videos

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Published on: February 20, 2017

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Published on: August 13, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 15, 2014

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Live Imaging to Study Microtubule Dynamic Instability in Taxane-resistant Breast Cancers

Published on: February 20, 2017

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Published on: August 13, 2016

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biophysics

Background:

NIMA-related kinases (NRK or Nek) are key regulators of mitosis and cilia.
Microtubule (MT) dynamics are implicated in these processes, but the precise role of Neks is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanism by which Nek7 influences MT dynamic instability.
To elucidate the role of Nek7 in MT regulation.

Main Methods:

Utilized PlusTipTracker software to analyze MT dynamics in HeLa cells with altered Nek7 levels.
Employed siRNA-mediated knockdown and ectopic overexpression of Nek7.
Examined MT dynamics in Nek7-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Main Results:

Nek7 downregulation decreased MT growth and catastrophe speeds and reduced overall MT dynamicity.
Nek7 overexpression produced opposite effects.
Nek7 deficiency phenocopied the effects of Nek7 downregulation.

Conclusions:

Nek7 directly impacts MT dynamic instability.
This mechanism explains Nek involvement in mitosis, cilia formation, and potentially tumorigenicity.