Microtubule plus end: a hub of cellular activities

G Lansbergen, A Akhmanova - Traffic, 2006 - Wiley Online Library
G Lansbergen, A Akhmanova
Traffic, 2006Wiley Online Library
Microtubules (MTs) are highly dynamic polymers, which control many aspects of cellular
architecture. Growing MT plus ends accumulate a specific set of evolutionary conserved
factors, the so‐called MT plus‐end‐tracking proteins (+ TIPs).+ TIPs regulate MT dynamics
and the reciprocal interactions of MTs with the cell cortex, mitotic kinetochores or different
cellular organelles. Most+ TIPs can directly bind to MTs, but the molecular mechanisms of
their specific targeting to the growing plus ends remain poorly understood. Recent studies …
Microtubules (MTs) are highly dynamic polymers, which control many aspects of cellular architecture. Growing MT plus ends accumulate a specific set of evolutionary conserved factors, the so‐called MT plus‐end‐tracking proteins (+TIPs). +TIPs regulate MT dynamics and the reciprocal interactions of MTs with the cell cortex, mitotic kinetochores or different cellular organelles. Most +TIPs can directly bind to MTs, but the molecular mechanisms of their specific targeting to the growing plus ends remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that the members of one particular +TIP family, EB1 and its homologues, are present in all eucaryotic kingdoms, interact directly with the majority of other known plus‐end‐associated proteins and may be responsible for their specific accumulation at the MT tips.
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