TUBULIN Meaning and
Definition
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Tubulin is a protein that functions as a building block for microtubules, which are important structures within cells. Microtubules are cylindrical polymers made up of repeating units of tubulin protein and serve various roles in cellular processes such as providing support, maintaining cell shape, and facilitating the movement of cargo within cells.
The tubulin protein itself is composed of two subunits, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, which combine together to form a heterodimer. Each subunit consists of a globular head domain and a more extended tail-like structure. The globular head domain is responsible for interactions between tubulin molecules and critical for the assembly of microtubules.
Tubulin's primary function is to polymerize and depolymerize to form the dynamic microtubule structures. Microtubules constantly undergo this assembly and disassembly process, a phenomenon known as dynamic instability, which allows them to rapidly reorganize and participate in various cellular functions, such as cell division, intracellular transport, and cell motility.
In addition to its structural role, tubulin also acts as a target for several important drugs, such as taxanes and vinca alkaloids, which are widely used as chemotherapeutic agents to treat various forms of cancer. These drugs inhibit microtubule function by affecting the dynamics of tubulin assembly and disassembly, thereby disrupting crucial cellular processes required for tumor cell growth and division.
Common Misspellings for TUBULIN
Etymology of TUBULIN
The word "tubulin" originated from the Latin word "tubulus", which means "small tube" or "pipe". It was first used in 1968 by the Nobel laureate Albert Claude to describe the protein structure that forms microtubules. The term "tubulin" reflects the cylindrical and tubular shape of microtubule structures in cells.
