CAMSAPs and nucleation-promoting factors control microtubule release from γ-TuRC.

γ-Tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is the major microtubule-nucleating factor. After nucleation, microtubules can be released from γ-TuRC and stabilized by other proteins, such as CAMSAPs, but the biochemical cross-talk between minus-end regulation pathways is poorly understood. Here we reconstituted this process in vitro using purified components.

Compressive forces stabilize microtubules in living cells.

Microtubules are cytoskeleton components with unique mechanical and dynamic properties. They are rigid polymers that alternate phases of growth and shrinkage. Nonetheless, the cells can display a subset of stable microtubules, but it is unclear whether microtubule dynamics and mechanical properties are related.

CLASP Mediates Microtubule Repair by Restricting Lattice Damage and Regulating Tubulin Incorporation.

Microtubules play a key role in cell division, motility, and intracellular trafficking. Microtubule lattices are generally regarded as stable structures that undergo turnover through dynamic instability of their ends [1]. However, recent evidence suggests that microtubules also exchange tubulin dimers at the sites of lattice defects, which can be induced by mechanical stress, severing enzymes, or occur spontaneously during polymerization [2-6].

Feedback-Driven Assembly of the Axon Initial Segment.

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a unique neuronal compartment that plays a crucial role in the generation of action potential and neuronal polarity. The assembly of the AIS requires membrane, scaffolding, and cytoskeletal proteins, including Ankyrin-G and TRIM46. How these components cooperate in AIS formation is currently poorly understood.

A method for estimating relative changes in the synaptic density in Drosophila central nervous system.

Background: Synapse density is an essential indicator of development and functioning of the central nervous system. It is estimated indirectly through the accumulation of pre and postsynaptic proteins in tissue sections. 3D reconstruction of the electron microscopic images in serial sections is one of the most definitive means of estimating the formation of active synapses in the brain.

Curcumin inhibits FtsZ assembly: an attractive mechanism for its antibacterial activity.

The assembly and stability of FtsZ protofilaments have been shown to play critical roles in bacterial cytokinesis. Recent evidence suggests that FtsZ may be considered as an important antibacterial drug target. Curcumin, a dietary polyphenolic compound, has been shown to have a potent antibacterial activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus.