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Detection and Analysis of Microtubule Nucleator γ-Tubulin Ring Complex
Franco K C Au1, Khoi T D Le1, Robert Z Qi2,3
1Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract:
Golgi-derived microtubules constitute an asymmetrical microtubule network that drives polarized transport of vesicles to support cell polarization and directional migration. Golgi-based microtubule nucleation requires the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC), the principal microtubule nucleator in animal cells. In this chapter, we present methods for detecting γTuRC components and associated proteins on the Golgi, examining Golgi-based microtubule nucleation, and measuring the microtubule-nucleating activity of isolated γTuRCs. These approaches have been demonstrated to be effective for assessing the microtubule-organizing function of the Golgi complex.
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