MICROTUBULE PROTEINS Meaning and
Definition
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Microtubule proteins refer to a group of proteins that are involved in the formation and stabilization of microtubules. Microtubules are hollow, cylindrical structures found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and are responsible for various cellular processes, including cell division, intracellular transport, and maintenance of cell shape.
Microtubule proteins consist primarily of two types: tubulins and associated proteins. Tubulins are the main building blocks of microtubules and are composed of two subunits, alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin, which interact with each other to form a heterodimer. These tubulin heterodimers then stack end-to-end to form the protofilaments, which further assemble laterally to create the hollow structure of microtubules.
Associated proteins, also known as microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), bind to microtubules and regulate their stability, organization, and function. MAPs can either stabilize microtubules by preventing their disassembly or destabilize them by promoting their depolymerization. Additionally, MAPs can also control the dynamics of microtubules, such as polymerization, depolymerization, and sliding.
The coordination of tubulins and associated proteins enables the dynamic behavior of microtubules, allowing them to participate in the organization and reorganization of the cytoskeleton, as well as driving intracellular transport processes. Microtubule proteins play crucial roles in various cellular functions, and any dysregulation in their activity can lead to cellular defects and diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and genetic developmental abnormalities.
Common Misspellings for MICROTUBULE PROTEINS
- nicrotubule proteins
- kicrotubule proteins
- jicrotubule proteins
- mucrotubule proteins
- mjcrotubule proteins
- mkcrotubule proteins
- mocrotubule proteins
- m9crotubule proteins
- m8crotubule proteins
- mixrotubule proteins
- mivrotubule proteins
- mifrotubule proteins
- midrotubule proteins
- miceotubule proteins
- micdotubule proteins
- micfotubule proteins
- mictotubule proteins
- mic5otubule proteins
- mic4otubule proteins
- micritubule proteins
Etymology of MICROTUBULE PROTEINS
The etymology of the word "microtubule proteins" can be broken down as follows:
1. Micro-: This prefix comes from the Greek word "mikros", meaning "small" or "tiny". It is commonly used in science and refers to something very small in size or scale.
2. Tubule: This word is derived from the Latin word "tubulus", meaning "small tube". In biology, a tubule refers to a small tube-like structure.
3. Proteins: This term comes from the French word "protéine", which was coined in the 19th century by the Dutch chemist Gerardus Johannes Mulder. It originates from the Greek word "proteios", meaning "primary" or "first rank". Proteins are essential molecules found in living organisms that play various roles, including structural support, cell signaling, and enzymatic activity.
