Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
09:25
Live Imaging of Mitosis in the Developing Mouse Embryonic Cortex
Published on: June 4, 2014
15.3K
Centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule nucleation during neuronal development
Stanislav Vinopal1, Frank Bradke2
1Centre for Nanomaterials and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyne University (UJEP), Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|March 27, 2025
Summary
New insights into microtubule nucleation reveal how these structures guide neuronal development. Understanding microtubule nucleation may enhance axon regeneration in the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neurons depend on the microtubule cytoskeleton for cellular structure and function.
- Microtubule nucleation is crucial for generating new microtubules, essential for neuronal processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding microtubule nucleation mechanisms.
- To connect these mechanisms to neurodevelopmental processes and identify future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Cryogenic electron microscopy
- Expansion microscopy
- Live imaging
- Gene editing
Main Results:
- Novel insights into centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule nucleation.
- Functional dissection of microtubule networks in neuronal development (delamination, polarization, migration, maturation, synapse function).
Conclusions:
- Understanding microtubule nucleation is key to comprehending neurodevelopment.
- Knowledge of microtubule nucleation could inform strategies for enhancing adult central nervous system axon regeneration.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Microtubule Formation
5.5K
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...
5.5K
01:13Centrioles and Centrosomes
2.6K
Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or...
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or...
2.6K
02:50Spindle Assembly
3.6K
Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
3.6K
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
1.8K
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
1.8K
02:25Centrosome Duplication
4.0K
The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
4.0K
01:39Anaphase A and B
4.0K
Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
4.0K