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Related Concept Videos

Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

102.6K
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.
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Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

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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....
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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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Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

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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...
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Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

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Dear microtubule, I see you.

Eva Nogales1

  • 1Molecular and Cell Biology Department and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720; Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 enogales@lbl.gov.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
|November 2, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This essay details a personal scientific journey focused on visualizing microtubules at the atomic level. It highlights the significant impact of cryo-electron microscopy advancements on understanding these cellular polymers.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Microtubules are essential cytoskeletal polymers involved in diverse cellular processes.
  • Understanding microtubule structure and function at the atomic level is crucial for cell biology.
  • Technological advancements are key to achieving high-resolution structural insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To recount a personal scientific journey towards atomic visualization of microtubules.
  • To elucidate the mechanistic understanding of microtubule polymer function.
  • To emphasize the role of cryo-electron microscopy in this scientific endeavor.

Main Methods:

  • Personal narrative of scientific discovery.
  • Application and witnessing of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) advancements.
  • Focus on atomic-level visualization techniques.

Main Results:

  • Achieved atomic-level visualization of microtubules.
  • Gained mechanistic insights into microtubule polymer function.
  • Documented the transformative impact of cryo-electron microscopy.

Conclusions:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy has revolutionized the study of microtubules.
  • Atomic visualization provides unprecedented understanding of microtubule mechanisms.
  • Personal scientific journeys can be deeply intertwined with technological progress.