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Microtubules

Microtubules

There are three types of cytoskeletal structures in eukaryotic cells—microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the thickest of these fibers. Microtubules carry out a variety of functions that include cell structure and support, transport of organelles, cell motility (movement), and the separation of chromosomes during cell division.Microtubules are hollow tubes whose walls are made up of globular tubulin proteins. Each tubulin...

Microtubules

Microtubules

Microtubules are the thickest cytoskeletal filaments with a diameter of 25 nm. In prokaryotic organisms, microtubules are commonly found in locomotory appendages like cilia and flagella. In eukaryotic cells, microtubules form specialized extensions for moving fluid over the surface, like those found in cells lining the intestine.
Microtubules have two structurally similar globular protein subunits: α and β tubulins. In the cytosol, the α and β tubulins form a heterodimer. These αβ-heterodimers...

Microtubule Instability

Microtubule Instability

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 assembly and...

Microtubule Formation

Microtubule Formation

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 of...

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

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.

Microtubule Instability

Microtubule Instability

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 assembly and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Published on: March 15, 2014

Ordering microtubules

¹Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside 92521, USA. lhaimo@citrus.ucr.edu

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

|July 1, 1997

Summary

Cell fragments lacking microtubule organizing centers can rapidly organize microtubules. Microtubule motors like cytoplasmic dynein drive this organization, with cell surface interactions centering the microtubule array.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Cytoskeletal Dynamics
Molecular Motors

Background:

Microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) have been traditionally viewed as key to cytoplasmic order via microtubule nucleation.
Recent research suggests microtubule motors play a significant role in organizing microtubules.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of microtubule motors in cytoplasmic organization independent of MTOCs.
To determine the mechanisms underlying microtubule array formation and centering.

Main Methods:

Utilizing cell fragments devoid of microtubule organizing centers.
Observing organelle transport dynamics driven by microtubule motors, specifically cytoplasmic dynein.
Analyzing the spatial organization of microtubules and their interaction with the cell surface.

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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

Published on: April 20, 2017

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Preparation of Segmented Microtubules to Study Motions Driven by the Disassembling Microtubule Ends

Published on: March 15, 2014

High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

Published on: April 20, 2017

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Main Results:

Cell fragments rapidly organized microtubules into a radial array without MTOCs.
Organelle transport, powered by cytoplasmic dynein, was crucial for this microtubule organization.
Interaction with the cell surface centered the radial microtubule array.

Conclusions:

Microtubule motors, such as cytoplasmic dynein, are capable of organizing cytoplasmic microtubules independently of MTOCs.
Centering of microtubule arrays is mediated by interactions with the cell surface, not solely by centrosomes.
This finding redefines our understanding of how cells establish cytoplasmic order.