tubulin binding

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Binding to monomeric or multimeric forms of tubulin, including microtubules. [GOC:clt]

Tubulin binding is a fundamental molecular interaction crucial for a wide array of cellular processes. Tubulin, a heterodimer protein composed of alpha and beta subunits, assembles into microtubules, dynamic filaments that provide structural support, facilitate intracellular transport, and play critical roles in cell division. Tubulin binding proteins interact with tubulin through a diverse array of mechanisms, influencing microtubule dynamics, stability, and function. These interactions can involve direct binding to the tubulin dimer, interactions with the microtubule lattice, or modulation of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that regulate microtubule assembly and disassembly.

The specific molecular functions of tubulin binding can be broadly categorized as follows:

**Microtubule Assembly and Disassembly:**

* **Nucleation:** Certain proteins, like γ-tubulin, promote the initiation of microtubule formation by acting as nucleation sites.
* **Elongation:** Other proteins, like stathmin, bind to tubulin dimers and prevent their addition to microtubule ends, thereby inhibiting elongation.
* **Depolymerization:** Proteins like katanin can sever microtubules, promoting depolymerization and influencing microtubule dynamics.

**Microtubule Stabilization and Destabilization:**

* **Stabilizing Proteins:** Some proteins, such as MAPs like tau and MAP2, bind along the microtubule lattice, enhancing its stability and promoting its assembly.
* **Destabilizing Proteins:** Other proteins, like kinesin-13, can promote microtubule depolymerization and destabilize the microtubule network.

**Microtubule Motors:**

* **Microtubule Motors:** Proteins like kinesin and dynein use microtubules as tracks for transporting cargo within the cell. These proteins bind to microtubules and undergo ATP-dependent conformational changes that drive their movement along the filament.

**Cellular Processes:**

* **Cell Division:** Microtubule dynamics are essential for cell division, with microtubules forming the mitotic spindle that segregates chromosomes during mitosis.
* **Intracellular Transport:** Microtubules provide tracks for the movement of vesicles, organelles, and other cellular components within the cytoplasm.
* **Cell Shape and Structure:** Microtubules contribute to the shape and organization of cells, particularly in polarized and elongated cells.

**Other Functions:**

* **Signal Transduction:** Tubulin binding can also be involved in signal transduction pathways, with certain proteins binding to microtubules and influencing downstream signaling events.
* **Cell Migration:** Microtubules play a role in cell migration, with their dynamics influencing the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia.

The specific functions of tubulin binding are highly diverse and depend on the interacting protein, its binding site on tubulin, and the cellular context. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of tubulin binding is crucial for comprehending the roles of microtubules in diverse cellular processes and for developing therapeutic strategies targeting microtubule-associated proteins in diseases.'
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Proteins (8)

Compounds (106)