Microtubule
Microtubules are found in biological cells as a part of the cytoskeleton. They are hollow tubes whose walls consist of 13 columns of tubulin molecules. Its main functions are to maintain a cell's shape, cell motility, chromosome movement in cell division, and organelle movement. They look like hollow noodles which transmit signals to our nerves.[1][2]
Microtubule Media
Tubulin infographic containing In vitro parameters that is handy for cytoskeletal researchers.
Cartoon representation of the structure of α(yellow)/β(red)-tubulin heterodimer, GTP and GDP.
Components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton include: nuclei (blue), microtubules (green), and actin filaments (red).
Animation of the microtubule dynamic instability. Tubulin dimers bound to GTP (red) bind to the growing end of a microtubule and subsequently hydrolyze GTP into GDP (blue).
Image of a fibroblast cell containing fluorescently labeled actin (red) and microtubules (green).
A cytoplasmic dynein motor bound to a microtubule.
A kinesin molecule bound to a microtubule.
A 3D diagram of a centriole. Each circle represents one microtubule. In total there are 27 microtubules organized into 9 bundles of 3.
This diagram depicts the organization of a typical mitotic spindle found in animal cells. Shown here are the three main types of microtubules during mitosis and how they are oriented in the cell and the mitotic spindle.
References
- ↑ Vale RD. The molecular motor toolbox for intracellular transport.. Cell 112 (4) (Feb 2003). p. 467–80. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(03)00111-9.
- ↑ Howard J; Hyman AA. Microtubule polymerases and depolymerases.. Current Opinion in Cell Biology 19 (1) (Feb 2007). p. 31–5. doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2006.12.009.