Microtubules

Definition

Microtubules are cylindrical structures made of tubulin proteins that are part of the cell's cytoskeleton. They play a crucial role in maintaining cell shape, enabling intracellular transport, and facilitating cell division.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Microtubules are essential for the proper functioning of neurons, including those affected in Alzheimer's Disease.
2. They contribute to the stability and transport functions within axons, which are disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases.
3. Microtubule-associated protein tau stabilizes microtubules; its hyperphosphorylation leads to tau tangles found in Alzheimer's patients.
4. Drugs targeting microtubules can influence their dynamics, potentially impacting neuronal health and disease progression.
5. Microtubule dysfunction can lead to impaired synaptic transmission and neuron death, common features in Alzheimer's Disease.

Review Questions

• What role do microtubules play in neuron function?
• How does the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein affect microtubules?
• Why might drugs targeting microtubules be relevant in treating neurodegenerative diseases?

Related terms

Tau Protein: A protein that stabilizes microtubules; its malfunction is implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Cytoskeleton: A network of fibers composed of proteins contained within a cell's cytoplasm providing structure and shape.

Axon Transport: The process involving the movement of organelles and molecules along axons using motor proteins along microtubules.