Question

What is the composition of microtubules?

Answer 1

Microtubules:

Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements that are made up of hollow tubes of tubulin protein.

Composition of microtubules:

1. Tubulin dimers make up microtubules.
2. Tubulin exhibits stochastic growth and shortening and this phenomenon is known as dynamic instability.
3. A stabilizing GTP "cap" identified at the exchangeable GTP-binding region of tubulin exposed on the plus end of a microtubule regulates dynamic instability.
4. Microtubules made of fewer or more protofilaments have been found in diverse species.
5. They are produced by the parallel association of thirteen protofilaments.
6. Microtubules are found in the cytoplasm of all types of eukaryotic cells, except the exception of human erythrocytes, which are devoid of them.