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

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
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

2.3K
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.3K
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
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

5.7K
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...
5.7K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

5.4K
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...
5.4K
Microtubules01:18

Microtubules

9.4K
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....
9.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Visible Light-Induced Cytotoxicity of a Thiophene-Benzothiadiazole-Based Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte in Cancer Cells.

ACS applied bio materials·2025
Same author

Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Studies of [<sup>18</sup>F]-Taccalonolide: A Covalent Microtubule Stabilizer with Antitumor Efficacy.

ACS medicinal chemistry letters·2025
Same author

RGN6024 Is a Brain-Penetrant, Small-Molecule Tubulin Destabilizer for the Treatment of Glioblastoma.

Molecular cancer therapeutics·2025
Same author

Beyond mitotic arrest: the diverse effects of microtubule-targeting drugs on tumor vasculature.

EMBO molecular medicine·2025
Same author

Latrunculin U: a potent actin-disrupter from the Red Sea marine sponge <i>Negombata magnifica</i>.

Natural product research·2025
Same author

Low-Dose Eribulin Promotes NK Cell-Mediated Therapeutic Efficacy in Bladder Cancer.

Cancers·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.3K

Taccalonolide Microtubule Stabilizers.

Samantha S Yee1, Lin Du2, April L Risinger3

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Floyd Curl Drive, 78229, San Antonio, TX, USA. YeeS3@livemail.uthscsa.edu.

Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products
|December 11, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Taccalonolides, a unique class of microtubule stabilizers, overcome drug resistance by irreversibly binding to beta-tubulin. This novel mechanism offers potent, long-lasting anticancer efficacy, especially in resistant tumors.

Keywords:
Antitumor natural productMicrotubule stabilizerMicrotubule-targeted agentTaccalonolide

More Related Videos

Spatiotemporal Subcellular Manipulation of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton in the Living Preimplantation Mouse Embryo using Photostatins
08:13

Spatiotemporal Subcellular Manipulation of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton in the Living Preimplantation Mouse Embryo using Photostatins

Published on: November 30, 2021

2.7K
Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues
07:21

Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues

Published on: November 17, 2023

2.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.3K
Spatiotemporal Subcellular Manipulation of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton in the Living Preimplantation Mouse Embryo using Photostatins
08:13

Spatiotemporal Subcellular Manipulation of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton in the Living Preimplantation Mouse Embryo using Photostatins

Published on: November 30, 2021

2.7K
Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues
07:21

Quantitative Microtubule Fractionation Technique to Separate Stable Microtubules, Labile Microtubules, and Free Tubulin in Mouse Tissues

Published on: November 17, 2023

2.3K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microtubule stabilizers are crucial in cancer therapy but face resistance issues.
  • Taccalonolides, derived from Tacca plants, present a novel approach to circumventing resistance.
  • Previous studies debated their direct tubulin interaction mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the precise mechanism of action for taccalonolides.
  • To investigate their potential in overcoming drug resistance in cancer.
  • To explore modifications for enhanced therapeutic delivery and efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical assays to determine tubulin binding.
  • Cellular studies to assess microtubule stabilization and phenotypes.
  • In vivo studies in drug-resistant tumor models.

Main Results:

  • Potent C-22, C-23 epoxidized taccalonolides covalently bind Aspartate 226 of beta-tubulin.
  • This interaction is essential for their microtubule-stabilizing activity.
  • Taccalonolides exhibit distinct biochemical effects on tubulin dynamics, leading to unique cellular responses.
  • Demonstrated potent and durable in vivo antitumor efficacy in resistant models due to irreversible binding.

Conclusions:

  • Taccalonolides represent a promising class of anticancer agents with a unique mechanism of action.
  • Their irreversible tubulin binding overcomes common resistance pathways.
  • Further optimization through scaffold modification could enhance targeted delivery and clinical utility.