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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
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.
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...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles
07:54

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles

Published on: November 5, 2020

Multiple tubulins: evolutionary aspects and biological implications.

Diego Breviario1, Silvia Gianì, Laura Morello

  • 1Istituto Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy. diego.breviario@ibba.cnr.it

The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology
|May 14, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Plant tubulin, essential for microtubule formation, is a key molecule for understanding cell biology. This review explores tubulin

Keywords:
gene expansiongene expressionmicrotubulemulti tubulin isoformstubulin

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Optimizing Tubulin Yield from Porcine Brain Tissue
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Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles
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Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles

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Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
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Optimizing Tubulin Yield from Porcine Brain Tissue
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Optimizing Tubulin Yield from Porcine Brain Tissue

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Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Tubulin is a dimeric protein crucial for microtubule assembly.
  • Microtubules are vital for cell division, growth, and intracellular transport.
  • Tubulin's structural role belies its importance in fundamental biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight tubulin's significance beyond its structural role.
  • To review diverse research areas related to plant tubulin.
  • To offer an updated interpretation of the multi-tubulin hypothesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
  • Discussion of tubulin's role in microtubule evolution.
  • Analysis of tubulin's protein structure and isoform variations.
  • Examination of gene regulation and intron evolution.

Main Results:

  • Tubulin is central to understanding microtubule evolution and the FtsZ/tubulin superfamily.
  • Isoform diversity and post-translational modifications impact tubulin function.
  • Tubulin interactions with anti-mitotic drugs are critical.
  • Tubulin mutants reveal insights into plant cell symmetry and gene regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Plant tubulin is a multifaceted molecule essential for numerous cellular processes.
  • Further research into tubulin's complexity is warranted.
  • The multi-tubulin hypothesis provides a framework for understanding tubulin diversity and function.