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

Tocris offers the following scientific literature for Microtubules to showcase our products. We invite you to request* your copy today!

*Please note that Tocris will only send literature to established scientific business / institute addresses.

Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Research Product Guide

This product guide provides a review of the cell cycle and DNA damage research area and lists over 150 products, including research tools for:

• Cell Cycle and Mitosis
• DNA Damage Repair
• Targeted Protein Degradation
• Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway
• Chemotherapy Targets

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Microtubule Gene Data