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Related Concept Videos

Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

101.6K
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.
101.6K
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

10.9K
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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pH Scale02:41

pH Scale

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Hydronium and hydroxide ions are present both in pure water and in all aqueous solutions, and their concentrations are inversely proportional as determined by the ion product of water (Kw). The concentrations of these ions in a solution are often critical determinants of the solution’s properties and the chemical behaviors of its other solutes. Two different solutions can differ in their hydronium or hydroxide ion concentrations by a million, billion, or even trillion times. A common means of...
80.6K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

6.3K
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...
6.3K
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

7.8K
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...
7.8K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

3.7K
The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons
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In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons

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Microtubule dynamics: moving toward a multi-scale approach.

Mahya Hemmat1, Brian T Castle2, David J Odde2

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.

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Summary

Understanding microtubule assembly dynamics is crucial for cell function. Recent studies integrate theoretical and experimental approaches to link atomistic mechanisms to cellular behaviors across diverse scales.

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Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
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Use of Immunolabeling to Analyze Stable, Dynamic, and Nascent Microtubules in the Zebrafish Embryo
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In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons
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In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons

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Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
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Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy

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Use of Immunolabeling to Analyze Stable, Dynamic, and Nascent Microtubules in the Zebrafish Embryo
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Microtubule self-assembly is essential for cellular processes like mitosis and synaptic plasticity.
  • The atomistic basis of microtubule assembly dynamics remains poorly understood.
  • Connecting nanoscale molecular interactions to microscale cellular events presents a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the atomistic basis of microtubule self-assembly dynamics.
  • To bridge the gap between molecular interactions and cellular functions across multiple length and time scales.
  • To investigate how associated proteins and drugs influence microtubule dynamics at the atomic level.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of theoretical and experimental studies.
  • Utilizing high-resolution techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
  • Employing advanced microscopy methods like total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Recent studies provide new insights into microtubule dynamics.
  • Findings connect atomic-level mechanisms to cellular-level phenomena.
  • The research spans length scales from Angstroms (Å) to micrometers (μm) and time scales from nanoseconds to minutes.

Conclusions:

  • Recent theoretical and experimental findings are shedding light on microtubule dynamics.
  • A comprehensive understanding of microtubule assembly across scales is emerging.
  • Elucidating these dynamics is critical for understanding cellular functions and developing targeted therapies.