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Unravel the tubulin code: microtubule dynamics and function

Related

  • Tubulin resources
    • Directly conjugated cytoskeletal markers
      • Organelle markers and dyes
        • Microtubule inhibitor guide
        • Cancer resources
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            • Cell proliferation guide
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                  • Imaging guide

                  All the tools you need to study microtubule dynamics and function

                  ​​Microtubules have many amazing properties, not least of which being their dynamic behavior during the cell cycle. Regulation of microtubules involves multiple proteins and complexes; identifying the mechanisms that generate and control tubulin dynamics, and understanding how these affect microtubule function are long-standing goals in this field.

                  Popular assays include the use of specific antibodies in immunofluorescent imaging, and agents that modify different microtubule components. Here we provide the relevant tools to study these important microtubule processes.

                  • Microtubule assembly
                  • Regulation of microtubule dynamics
                  • Microtubule functions


                  Microtubule assembly


                  Process


                  Component


                  Function


                  Recommended Products

                  Microtubule nucleationγ-tubulinForms part of the microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), and facilitates tubulin dimer polymerization.γ-tubulin mouse monoclonal antibody [GTU-88]
                  Microtubule polymerizationα-tubulinPolymerizes with β-tubulin to form microtubules.

                  a-tubulin mouse monoclonal antibody [DM1A]

                  α-tubulin rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  β-tubulinPolymerizes with α-tubulin to form microtubules.

                  β-tubulin rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  β-tubulin rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  Microtubule depolymerizationKinesinsThe kinesin-13 class depolymerizes microtubule by bending tubulins at microtubule ends.

                  KIF2a rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  MCAK rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  ​

                  Immunocytochemistry of formaldehyde-fixed HeLa cells stained with anti-beta tubulin antibody (ab6046). The secondary antibody (green) was ab150081 Alexa Fluor® 488 goat anti-rabbit IgG. Nuclear DNA was labeled with DAPI (shown in blue). The negative control is a secondary only assay. Click here to view the full datasheet for ab6046.


                  Regulation of microtubule dynamics


                  Process


                  Modification/

                  Component


                  Function


                  Recommended Products

                  Post-translational modifications (PTMs)AcetylationAcetylation on the K40 residue contributes to microtubule stability and cell motility. Deacetylation is linked to cell cycle progression and cancer.

                  Acetylated α-tubulin (acetyl K40) antibody [EPR16772]

                  Acetylated α-tubulin antibody [6-11B-1]

                  Trichostatin A

                  DetyrosinationInvolved in cell differentiation and microtubule stabilization.

                  Detyrosinated α-tubulin antibody

                  Human Detyrosinated α-tubulin peptide

                  PolyglutamylationOccurs when glutamate side chains are formed on glutamate residues. Catalyzed by tubulin tyrosine ligase like (TTLL) enzymes.

                  TTLL4 rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  TTLL6 mouse monoclonal antibody

                  PolyaminationContributes to microtubule stabilization. It is irreversible and acts on free tubulin as well as microtubules.ZM 449829 - Potent transglutaminase inhibitor
                  Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs)Microtubule latticeAssociates with microtubules and promote assembly and stabilization.

                  MAP4 rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  Tau (phospho S396) rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  Plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs)+TIP recruitment results in microtubule stabilization, continued growth, and protrusion of the plus ends (migration).

                  EB3 rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  Dynamitin mouse monoclonal antibody

                  CLASP1 rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  Tubulin-binding agentsDepolymerizing agentsInhibits microtubule polymerization, block mitosis and induces cell death. Most agents bind the vinca or colchicine domain.

                  Vincristine sulfate

                  Colchicine

                  Nocodazole

                  Stabilizing agentsDisrupts microtubules by promoting polymerization. This also inhibits mitosis and induces cell death.

                  Paclitaxel

                  Docetaxel

                  ​​​Acetylation detection: Immunocytochemistry of formaldehyde-fixed HeLa cells stained with anti-alpha tubulin (acetyl K40) antibody [EPR16772] (ab179484). Positive control - Cell treatment with trichostatin A (ab120850), a potent deacetylase inhibitor. Nuclear DNA was labeled with DAPI (shown in blue). Click here to view the full datasheet for ab179484.


                  Microtubule functions


                  Process


                  Component


                  Function


                  Recommended Products

                  MotilityKinesinAided by ATP, they shuttle vesicular cargo away from the MTOC towards the plus-end of the microtubule.

                  Kinesin 5A/B/C rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  Kinesin 5A rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  Kinesin 5C rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  DyneinAided by ATP, they shuttle vesicular cargo towards the minus end of microtubules.Dynein mouse monoclonal antibody
                  MyosinMainly associates with actin, but also interacts with tubulin for cargo exchange.

                  Myosin VIIa rabbit polyclonal antibody

                  Non-muscle Myosin IIA rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  MitosisKinetochoreInteracts with microtubules to maintain the integrity of chromatid spindles.

                  HEC1 mouse monoclonal antibody [9G3]

                  Nuf2 rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  SPC24 rabbit monoclonal antibody

                  Mps1 mouse monoclonal antibody [N1] - BSA free

                  Cell migrationActinCrosstalk between actin and microtubules promotes symmetry break to polarize cells for division, shape changes, and migration.

                  CytoPainter Phalloidin-iFluor 488 Reagent

                  Other colors available

                  ​​

                  Actin stain


                  ​


                  HeLa cells were stained with mouse anti-tubulin followed with a fluorescent red Goat Anti-Mouse IgG, actin filaments were stained with CytoPainter Phalloidin-iFluor 488 Reagent (ab176753), and nuclei were stained with Hoechst 33342.


                  See more tubulin resources
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