Microtubules

Microtubules are cylindrical tubes of 20-25 nm in diameter. They are composed of protofilaments which are in turn composed of α- and β-tubulin polymers. Each microtubule is polarized, at one end α-subunits are exposed (-) and at the other β-subunits are exposed (+). Microtubules act as a scaffold to determine cell shape, and provide a backbone for cell organelles and vesicles to move along, a process that requires motor proteins.

The major microtubule motor proteins are kinesin, which generally moves towards the (+) end of the microtubule, and dynein, which generally moves towards the (-) end. Microtubules also form the spindle fibers for separating chromosomes during mitosis. Due to this central role in cell division, microtubules are of interest as a therapeutic target in cancer research. Both inhibition of microtubule polymerization and stabilization of the microtubules block cell division, and molecules which affect microtubule assembly are therefore of potential use as anticancer agents.

Literature for Microtubules

Cancer Research Product Guide

A collection of over 750 products for cancer research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:

• Cancer Metabolism
• Epigenetics in Cancer
• Receptor Signaling
• Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Repair
• Angiogenesis
• Invasion and Metastasis

• Request copy
• Download PDF
• View all Product Guides & Listings

Neurodegeneration Product Guide

A collection of over 275 products for neurodegeneration research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Huntington's disease

• Request copy
• Download PDF
• View all Product Guides & Listings

Microtubule Gene Data