Tubulin

Tubulin is a family of proteins whose subunits assemble into microtubules. These dynamic polymers form part of the cytoskeleton and build structures including centrioles and cilia.

Microtubule: A hollow cytoskeletal polymer built from tubulin dimers, with distinct plus and minus ends. Microtubules are the polymers tubulin subunits assemble into.
Alpha-tubulin: A tubulin subunit that pairs with beta-tubulin to form the basic microtubule building block. Alpha-tubulin forms one half of the heterodimer that polymerizes.
Mitosis: The division of a eukaryotic cell’s nucleus into two genetically equivalent nuclei. Tubulin builds the spindle microtubules that segregate chromosomes during mitosis.
Centriole: A cylindrical organelle composed of nine microtubule triplets, involved in organizing centrosomes and cilia. Its distinctive triplet architecture is built from tubulin polymers.
GTP hydrolysis: A chemical reaction that converts guanosine triphosphate into guanosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate. Tubulin-bound GTP hydrolysis helps regulate microtubule stability after assembly.
Beta-tubulin: A tubulin subunit that pairs with alpha-tubulin and binds exchangeable GTP used during polymer assembly. Its nucleotide state changes as tubulin dimers join microtubules.
Mitotic spindle: A microtubule-based structure that separates duplicated chromosomes during cell division. Its fibers are assembled from tubulin and reorganized throughout division.
Cilium: A slender cell-surface projection whose microtubule-based structure enables movement or sensing. Tubulin forms the internal scaffold that gives cilia their structure.
Dynamic instability: The stochastic switching of microtubules between phases of growth and rapid shrinkage. This behavior emerges as tubulin addition and GTP hydrolysis alter microtubule ends.
Gamma-tubulin: A tubulin family member that helps nucleate microtubules, especially at centrosomes. It initiates polymer formation rather than serving as the main microtubule subunit.

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