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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Formation01:23

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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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Centrosome Duplication02:25

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The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
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Microtubules01:18

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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.
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Microtubules01:35

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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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Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

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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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Multi-Photon Laser Ablation of Cytoplasmic Microtubule Organizing Centers in Mouse Oocytes
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Microtubule-Organizing Centers.

Jingchao Wu1, Anna Akhmanova1

  • 1Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; email: J.Wu3@uu.nl , a.akhmanova@uu.nl.

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 25, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microtubule organization is vital for cell division and structure. This review details how microtubule-nucleating factors and organizing centers control microtubule networks in various cell systems.

Keywords:
CAMSAPGolgicentrosomemicrotubule minus endmicrotubule nucleationγ-tubulin

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Dynamics
  • Molecular Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microtubule networks are essential for fundamental cellular processes like chromosome segregation, organelle transport, and cell morphogenesis.
  • The precise organization of these networks relies heavily on the nucleation and anchoring of microtubule minus ends.
  • Microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs), such as centrosomes and spindle pole bodies, are key sites for this organization, but other cellular structures also contribute.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the factors and mechanisms governing microtubule organization.
  • To highlight the roles of microtubule-nucleating factors and minus-end-stabilizing proteins.
  • To discuss how these elements collaborate in diverse biological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on microtubule organization.
  • Analysis of the functions of microtubule-nucleating factors (e.g., gamma-tubulin complexes) and minus-end-binding proteins.
  • Comparative examination of microtubule organization across different cell types and organisms.

Main Results:

  • Microtubule organization is a complex process involving coordinated actions of various cellular components.
  • Both dedicated MTOCs and other cellular structures contribute to microtubule nucleation and stabilization.
  • Specific protein complexes, including gamma-tubulin and minus-end binders, are critical regulators.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the interplay of microtubule-nucleating factors and anchoring sites is key to comprehending microtubule organization.
  • Diverse mechanisms contribute to the precise spatial arrangement of microtubules, essential for cell function.
  • This review consolidates current knowledge, providing a foundation for future research into cytoskeleton regulation.