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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

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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...
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Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
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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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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...
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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

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Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
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Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Nuclear assembly shaped by microtubule dynamics.

John Z Xue1, Hironori Funabiki1

  • 1Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology; The Rockefeller University; New York, NY USA.

Nucleus (Austin, Tex.)
|March 19, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Developmental pluripotency associated 2 (Dppa2) protein prevents microtubule growth during nuclear assembly. This inhibition is vital for correct nuclear shape and replication in rapidly dividing cells.

Keywords:
Aurora BDppa2Xenopuscytoskeletonmicrotubulenucleuspronucleusshapesize

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Nuclear architecture is essential for cellular functions like gene regulation and proliferation.
  • Chromosomes are vulnerable to cytoskeletal forces during open mitosis and meiosis before nuclear reassembly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of DNA-binding protein Developmental pluripotency associated 2 (Dppa2) in nuclear formation.
  • To understand how Dppa2 regulates microtubule dynamics during nuclear assembly.
  • To explore the significance of Dppa2-mediated microtubule regulation for nuclear shape and replication.

Main Methods:

  • Study conducted using Xenopus egg extracts.
  • Analysis of Dppa2's effect on microtubule polymerization during nuclear formation.
  • Investigation of mechanisms regulating microtubule dynamics in nuclear assembly.

Main Results:

  • Developmental pluripotency associated 2 (Dppa2) directly inhibits microtubule polymerization.
  • This inhibition by Dppa2 is crucial for achieving normal nuclear shape and replication.
  • Spatial and temporal regulation of microtubules is important for nuclear formation and morphology.

Conclusions:

  • Dppa2 plays a critical role in regulating nuclear assembly by controlling microtubule dynamics.
  • The findings highlight the importance of Dppa2 in processes requiring rapid nuclear assembly, such as early embryonic development.
  • Understanding Dppa2's function provides insights into the specific demands of mitosis in pluripotent and rapidly dividing cells.