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Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...

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Cell Migration

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 15, 2014

Microtubule-binding protein FOR20 promotes microtubule depolymerization and cell migration.

Sijie Feng^1,2, Yinlong Song^3,4, Minhong Shen¹

¹Department of Cell Biology and Program in Molecular Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

|September 9, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

FOR20 is a novel microtubule-associated protein (MAP) that promotes microtubule depolymerization and enhances cell migration. This finding reveals FOR20

Keywords:

FOR20 cell migration dynamics microtubule depolymerization microtubules tubulin sequestering

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Last Updated: Feb 23, 2026

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Published on: May 19, 2016

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Microtubules, composed of αβ-tubulin heterodimers, are crucial for cellular processes like division and migration.
Microtubule dynamics are regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that interact with microtubules or tubulin dimers.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize FOR20 (FOP-related protein of 20 kDa) as a novel MAP.
To investigate the role of FOR20 in regulating microtubule dynamics and cell migration.

Main Methods:

In vitro microtubule dynamics assays to assess FOR20's effect on polymerization and depolymerization rates.
Nocodazole treatment in HeLa cells to observe microtubule regrowth after FOR20 depletion.
Cell migration assays (individual and collective) following FOR20 knockdown.

Main Results:

FOR20 directly binds to microtubules and preferentially interacts with free tubulin dimers.
FOR20 decreases microtubule growth rate and increases depolymerization rate and catastrophe frequency in vitro.
FOR20 depletion inhibits microtubule depolymerization and promotes regrowth; FOR20 knockdown impairs cell migration.

Conclusions:

FOR20 functions as a MAP that promotes microtubule depolymerization.
FOR20 plays a significant role in facilitating cell migration.