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

Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

5.2K
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...
5.2K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

2.1K
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...
2.1K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

4.4K
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...
4.4K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

2.0K
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...
2.0K
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

5.9K
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...
5.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Protocol for whole-brain immunolabeling, clearing, and light-sheet imaging of C-FOS in the pigeon.

STAR protocols·2026
Same author

A global screen for magnetically induced neuronal activity in the pigeon brain.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Long-term, high-resolution in vivo calcium imaging in pigeons.

Cell reports methods·2024
Same author

Codon modification of Tuba1a alters mRNA levels and causes a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype in mice.

Scientific reports·2023
Same author

Correction: Biallelic PAX5 mutations cause hypogammaglobulinemia, sensorimotor deficits, and autism spectrum disorder.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2022
Same author

Biallelic PAX5 mutations cause hypogammaglobulinemia, sensorimotor deficits, and autism spectrum disorder.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles
07:54

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles

Published on: November 5, 2020

5.2K

MAPping tubulin mutations.

Thomas D Cushion1,2, Ines Leca2, David A Keays1,2,3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|March 6, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Microtubule (MT) gene mutations cause tubulinopathies, impacting cellular functions and leading to diverse diseases. This review explores how MT mutations affect microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and disease mechanisms.

Keywords:
diseasedyneinkinesinmicrotubule-associated proteinmicrotubulestubulinopathies

More Related Videos

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

2.1K
Author Spotlight: Purifying High-Quality Tubulin to Study Protein Dynamics and Therapeutic Applications
06:30

Author Spotlight: Purifying High-Quality Tubulin to Study Protein Dynamics and Therapeutic Applications

Published on: October 11, 2024

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles
07:54

Purification of Tubulin with Controlled Posttranslational Modifications and Isotypes from Limited Sources by Polymerization-Depolymerization Cycles

Published on: November 5, 2020

5.2K
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

2.1K
Author Spotlight: Purifying High-Quality Tubulin to Study Protein Dynamics and Therapeutic Applications
06:30

Author Spotlight: Purifying High-Quality Tubulin to Study Protein Dynamics and Therapeutic Applications

Published on: October 11, 2024

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Microtubules, composed of α/β-tubulin heterodimers, are crucial for cell division, organelle transport, and cell shape.
  • Mutations in tubulin genes cause tubulinopathies, a group of diseases including lissencephaly, microcephaly, and motor neuron disease.
  • The diverse clinical presentations of tubulinopathies are linked to specific tubulin gene expression and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mutation-specific disease mechanisms in tubulinopathies.
  • To analyze how tubulin mutations impact microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and their binding.
  • To discuss strategies for identifying novel MAPs using genetic variation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on tubulin mutations and their effects on microtubules.
  • Analysis of the classification and function of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs).
  • Exploration of genotype-phenotype correlations in tubulinopathies.

Main Results:

  • Tubulin mutations significantly alter MAP binding, influencing microtubule dynamics and cellular functions.
  • Different tubulin mutations lead to distinct phenotypic consequences due to specific MAP interactions.
  • Understanding these interactions provides insights into disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Tubulinopathies arise from complex interactions between mutated tubulin and MAPs.
  • Targeting these interactions may offer therapeutic strategies for neurological and developmental disorders.
  • Genetic variation analysis is a promising approach for novel MAP discovery.