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

Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

3.3K
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...
3.3K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

2.4K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.4K
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

7.1K
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...
7.1K
Microtubules01:35

Microtubules

96.9K
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.
96.9K
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

9.6K
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....
9.6K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

26.0K
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
26.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Emulsion Gel Packaging System with Sustained Release and Synergistic Antibacterial for Prolonging Fruit and Vegetable Preservation.

ACS applied bio materials·2025
Same author

Hydrophobic eutectogels with heterostructure for wearable sensing and undersea alarms.

Materials horizons·2025
Same author

DNA crossover flexibilities upon discrete spacers revealed by single-molecule FRET.

Soft matter·2024
Same author

Lithium-Ion-Doped Eutectogel for Surface-Capacitive Sensing Touch Panel.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2024
Same author

DNA Nanobarrel-Based Drug Delivery for Paclitaxel and Doxorubicin.

Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology·2023
Same author

DNA-Based Assembly of Quantum Dots into Dimers and Helices.

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.4K

DNA origami-based microtubule analogue.

Tao Zhang1

  • 1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong Province 264005, People's Republic of China.

Nanotechnology
|October 9, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Scientists created a synthetic microtubule using DNA origami. This artificial structure mimics cellular functions and can be dynamically controlled for advanced in vitro applications.

Area of Science:

  • Synthetic biology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Microtubules are essential cytoskeletal components directing cellular functions.
  • Cell-free systems require artificial scaffolds to mimic cytoskeletal roles.
  • DNA origami offers precise molecular-level structural design capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a prototypical microtubular assembly using DNA origami.
  • To engineer controllable and dynamic synthetic cytoskeletal analogues.
  • To explore the potential of DNA nanostructures in recapitulating biological functions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 32-helix bundle (32HB) DNA origami objects for assembly.
  • Employed shape-complementary side patterns and blunt-end stacking for polymerization.

More Related Videos

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
08:09

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation

Published on: October 15, 2019

6.9K
Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
07:59

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: December 3, 2015

15.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.4K
Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
08:09

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation

Published on: October 15, 2019

6.9K
Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
07:59

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: December 3, 2015

15.0K
  • Investigated parameters for optimized polymerization and conformational changes (hinge states).

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully formed micrometer-long tubular structures mimicking microtubules.
    • Achieved polymerization through designed molecular interactions.
    • Demonstrated tunable conformational changes for dynamic assembly.

    Conclusions:

    • DNA origami enables the creation of functional microtubule analogues.
    • The synthetic microtubule exhibits potential for controlled assembly and disassembly.
    • This platform holds promise for complex in vitro cytoskeletal tasks with external regulation.