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

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

2.4K
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.
2.4K
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

10.0K
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....
10.0K
Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

97.5K
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.
97.5K
Anaphase A and B01:39

Anaphase A and B

5.2K
Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
5.2K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

5.9K
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...
5.9K
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

4.4K
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...
4.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

F-BAR Proteins CIP4 and FBP17 Function in Cortical Neuron Radial Migration and Process Outgrowth.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2025
Same author

F-BAR proteins CIP4 and FBP17 function in cortical neuron radial migration and process outgrowth.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

A methodology for specific disruption of microtubule polymerization into dendritic spines.

Molecular biology of the cell·2024
Same author

A Methodology for Specific Disruption of Microtubules in Dendritic Spines.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Handling Difficult Cryo-ET Samples: A Study with Primary Neurons from Drosophila melanogaster.

Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada·2023
Same author

Handling difficult cryo-ET samples: A study with primary neurons from <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

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

14.8K

Dynamic microtubules at the synapse.

Erik W Dent1

  • 1Neuroscience Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|February 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic structures in neurons, crucial for cell shape and transport. Recent studies reveal their significant role in synaptic functions within both axons and dendrites.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microtubule Network in Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions
08:04

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microtubule Network in Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: October 20, 2023

3.4K
Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 28, 2025

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

14.8K
Author Spotlight: Understanding Microtubule Network in Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions
08:04

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microtubule Network in Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: October 20, 2023

3.4K
Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.4K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microtubules (MTs) provide essential structure and long-distance transport in neurons.
  • Neuronal MTs exhibit dynamic instability, with periods of growth and shrinkage.
  • MTs can be nucleated outside the cell body's MT organizing center (MTOC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dynamic nature of microtubules in neurons.
  • To highlight the role of MT dynamics in synaptic functions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on microtubule dynamics in neuronal development and mature neurons.
  • Focus on research investigating microtubule involvement at the synapse.

Main Results:

  • Microtubules in neuronal axons and dendrites are highly dynamic.
  • MT nucleation can occur independently of the centrosome/MTOC.
  • MT dynamics are implicated in both pre-synaptic (axon) and post-synaptic (dendrite) functions.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal microtubules present a more dynamic landscape than previously understood.
  • MT dynamics play a critical role in synaptic plasticity and function.