Microtubule-Associated Proteins: From Dynamic Regulation of Microtubules to Cellular Architecture

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are key regulators of microtubule architecture and dynamics, orchestrating microtubule stability, post-translational modification, and spatial organization across diverse cellular contexts. Through these activities, MAPs govern essential processes including cell division, intracellular transport, signaling, and differentiation. This review synthesizes current insights into how MAPs regulate a diverse range of cellular processes, including maintenance of structural integrity, centriole assembly, cell division, the dynamic transition between centrosomal and ciliary states, and neuronal growth and connectivity. We discuss advances from structural biology, proteomics, and cell imaging that are redefining the molecular landscape of centriole and cilia regulation, and we highlight emerging themes linking MAP dysfunction to human disease, including cancer, ciliopathies, and neurodegenerative disorders. By integrating these diverse perspectives, the review outlines a unifying framework for understanding how MAPs orchestrate microtubule function and identifies key challenges and opportunities for future research.