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

Microvilli00:55

Microvilli

9.9K
Microvilli are tiny finger-like projections found on the surface of certain cells. Their purpose is to increase the surface area of the cell's apical surface, resulting in more effective absorption or secretion of substances.
These microvilli are predominantly present in cells lining the small intestine, kidney tubules, and certain cells in the respiratory and reproductive systems. By significantly expanding the surface area of the cell membrane, microvilli enhance the cell's capacity...
9.9K
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

2.7K
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.
2.7K
Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition01:02

Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition

3.3K
Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of...
3.3K
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

4.9K
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...
4.9K
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

7.9K
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...
7.9K
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

11.1K
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....
11.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Heterogeneous expression patterns of the T2D-associated kinesin-4 KIF21A in pancreatic islet endocrine cells.

Molecular metabolism·2026
Same author

Diabetes-associated MYT1 and ST18 genes regulate human beta cell insulin secretion and survival via other diabetes risk genes.

Diabetologia·2026
Same author

Paracrine Hormonal Signals From Islet α-Cells Regulate Microtubule Dynamics in β-Cells to Promote Insulin Secretion in Mouse and Human Islets.

Diabetes·2026
Same author

Cell cycle-regulated tug-of-war between microtubule motors positions major trafficking organelles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

CLASP1/2 regulate immune synapse maturation in natural killer cells.

Journal of leukocyte biology·2025
Same author

Glucose-stimulated KIF5B-driven microtubule sliding organizes microtubule networks in mouse pancreatic β cells.

eLife·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Immuno-fluorescent Labeling of Microtubules and Centrosomal Proteins in Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue and 3D In Vitro Intestinal Organoids
09:51

Immuno-fluorescent Labeling of Microtubules and Centrosomal Proteins in Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue and 3D In Vitro Intestinal Organoids

Published on: December 13, 2017

16.3K

Microtubules regulate brush border formation.

Facundo M Tonucci1, Anabela Ferretti1, Evangelina Almada1

  • 1Instituto de Fisiología Experimental, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|May 27, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Microtubules are crucial for forming new brush borders in epithelial cells. Centrosome-derived microtubules guide actin organization, revealing a new mechanism for epithelial polarity.

Keywords:
MTOCactinbrush borderepithelial polaritymicrotubules

More Related Videos

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.6K
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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Immuno-fluorescent Labeling of Microtubules and Centrosomal Proteins in Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue and 3D In Vitro Intestinal Organoids
09:51

Immuno-fluorescent Labeling of Microtubules and Centrosomal Proteins in Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue and 3D In Vitro Intestinal Organoids

Published on: December 13, 2017

16.3K
Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.6K
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

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Epithelial Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Dynamics

Background:

  • Epithelial cells possess apical brush borders, actin-based structures vital for function.
  • Microtubule involvement in maintaining existing brush borders is known, but their role in new formation was unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microtubules in the de novo organization of microvilli and brush border formation.
  • To elucidate the specific microtubule contributions to epithelial polarity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a cell model of individual enterocyte polarization.
  • Employed nocodazole to induce microtubule depolymerization.
  • Confirmed findings in polarized kidney tubule MDCK cells.
  • Investigated microtubule contributions from centrosomes versus Golgi apparatus.
  • Analyzed microtubule plus-end orientation and the effect of CLIP170 overexpression.

Main Results:

  • Microtubule depolymerization inhibited de novo brush border formation.
  • Centrosome-derived microtubules, not Golgi-derived ones, were essential for initial brush border development.
  • Microtubule plus ends showed an early apical orientation during formation, distinct from mature epithelia.
  • Overexpression of CLIP170 facilitated brush border formation.

Conclusions:

  • Centrosomal microtubule plus ends are critical for activating polarized actin organization during brush border formation.
  • This study reveals a novel mechanism of microtubule-mediated regulation of epithelial polarity.