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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
07:32
Using plusTipTracker Software to Measure Microtubule Dynamics in Xenopus laevis Growth Cones
Published on: September 7, 2014
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Regulation of microtubule dynamics, mechanics and function through the growing tip
Nikita B Gudimchuk1,2,3, J Richard McIntosh4
1Department of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. ngudimch@gmail.com.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|August 19, 2021
Summary
Microtubule dynamics are crucial for cell function. New research on microtubule tip structure challenges existing models and reveals insights into regulation by proteins and drugs.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Microtubule dynamics are vital for eukaryotic cell function, division, and intracellular processes.
- Dynamic microtubule tips interact with cellular components, generate forces, and link with actin filaments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of microtubule assembly and dynamics.
- To focus on novel structural insights into microtubule tips.
- To re-evaluate existing models based on recent data.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and data.
- Analysis of structural information on microtubule tips.
- Discussion of established facts and recent findings.
Main Results:
- Evidence supporting the GTP cap model of microtubule dynamics is discussed.
- Microtubule dynamic instability is examined alongside structural data of assembly intermediates.
- Three models of microtubule assembly and dynamics are critically reviewed.
Conclusions:
- Recent data necessitate re-evaluation of some long-held views on microtubule dynamics.
- Structural observations of microtubule tips offer implications for understanding regulation.
- Mechanisms of microtubule regulation by proteins, forces, and drugs (including cancer chemotherapeutics) are explored.
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