Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Anaphase A and B01:39

Anaphase A and B

5.7K
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...
5.7K
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

5.0K
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...
5.0K
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

1.6K
1.6K
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

4.1K
During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
4.1K
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

8.0K
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...
8.0K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

6.4K
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...
6.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Apical-out polarity in epithelial spheroids requires α6β4 integrins, cell proliferation, and anchorage-independence.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same author

When the nucleus disconnects, cells lose their way.

Biophysical journal·2026
Same author

Nuclear mechanobiology in confined cell migration.

Nucleus (Austin, Tex.)·2026
Same author

Evidence for Drop-Like Nuclear Deformation in Sheared Endothelial Monolayers.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2025
Same author

Multi-omics investigation reveals molecular determinants of cancer cell evolution on soft extracellular matrix.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Nuclei sense complex tissue shape and direct intestinal stem cell fate.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same journal

Engineering Functional Graphenic Materials for Bone Repair.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
Same journal

Breaking Through the Limits: Nanomedicine at the Service of New Drug Combinations to Tackle Pancreatic Cancer.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
Same journal

Advances in Engineered Virus-Like Particles for Applications in Nanomedicine.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
Same journal

Lipid- and Polymer-Based Nanoscale Delivery of Anti-Aging Phytochemicals.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
Same journal

Nano-Enabled Toxicity of Pharmaceutical Excipients.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
Same journal

Advances in Self-Assembly Artificial Chaperone for Protein Folding Regulation.

Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.0K

Microtubule-based force generation.

Ian A Kent1, Tanmay P Lele1

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology
|August 27, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores how microtubules generate mechanical forces for cell functions like division and migration. Understanding these forces aids disease research and drug development, particularly for cancer therapies targeting cell division.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
12:20

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

Published on: March 15, 2014

15.0K
Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
10:52

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

10.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.0K
Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends
12:20

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

Published on: March 15, 2014

15.0K
Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
10:52

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

10.3K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Microtubules are essential for cell division, cargo transport, organelle positioning, and cell migration.
  • Their role in cell division makes them a key target for chemotherapeutic drugs like paclitaxel.
  • Microtubule functions often involve generating mechanical forces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in quantifying and modeling microtubule-generated forces.
  • To connect microtubule force generation mechanisms with their diverse cellular functions.
  • To highlight the relevance of microtubule mechanics in disease research and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Summarizing recent research on force quantification techniques.
  • Reviewing computational and experimental models of microtubule force generation.
  • Integrating findings on motor protein-driven forces and polymerization/depolymerization dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Microtubule forces arise from polymerization/depolymerization dynamics and motor protein activity.
  • Quantification and modeling efforts are advancing our understanding of these forces.
  • These forces are critical for various cellular processes, including cell division and migration.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding microtubule mechanical forces is crucial for cell biology and disease research.
  • Further research into microtubule mechanics can inform the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
  • This review consolidates current knowledge on microtubule force generation and its functional implications.