Genetically Encoded Microtubule Binders for Single-Cell Interrogation of Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Protein Activity

Microtubule (MT) dynamics is tightly regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and various post-translational modifications (PTMs) of tubulin. Here, we introduce OligoMT and OligoTIP as genetically encoded oligomeric MT binders designed for real-time visualization and manipulation of MT behaviors within living cells. OligoMT acts as a reliable marker to label the MT cytoskeleton, while OligoTIP allows for live monitoring of the growing MT plus-ends. These engineered MT binders have been successfully utilized to label the MT network, monitor cell division, track MT plus-ends, and assess the effect of tubulin acetylation on the MT stability at the single-cell level. Moreover, OligoMT and OligoTIP can be repurposed as biosensors for quantitative assessment of drug actions and for reporting enzymatic activity. Overall, these engineered MT binders hold promise for advancing the mechanistic dissection of MT biology and have translational applications in cell-based high-throughput drug discovery efforts.