Precise control of microtubule disassembly in living cells

Abstract: Microtubules tightly regulate various cellular activities. Our understanding of microtubules is largely based on experiments using microtubule‐targeting agents, which, however, are insufficient to dissect the dynamic mechanisms of specific microtubule populations, due to their slow effects on the entire pool of microtubules. To overcome this technological limitation, we have used chemo and optogenetics to disassemble specific microtubule subtypes, including tyrosinated microtubules, primary cilia, mitotic spindles, and intercellular bridges, by rapidly recruiting engineered microtubule‐cleaving enzymes onto target microtubules in a reversible manner. Using this approach, we show that acute microtubule disassembly swiftly halts vesicular trafficking and lysosomal dynamics. It also immediately triggers Golgi and ER reorganization and slows the fusion/fission of mitochondria without affecting mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, cell rigidity is increased after microtubule disruption owing to increased contractile stress fibers. Microtubule disruption furthermore prevents cell division, but does not cause cell death during interphase. Overall, the reported tools facilitate detailed analysis of how microtubules precisely regulate cellular architecture and functions.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Precise control of microtubule disassembly in living cells ; day:10 ; month:06 ; year:2022 ; extent:20 ; The EMBO journal / European Molecular Biology Organization ; (10.06.2022) (gesamt 20)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Liu, Grace Y. ; Chen, Shiau‐Chi ; Lee, Gang‐Hui ; Shaiv, Kritika ; Chen, Pin‐Yu ; Cheng, Hsuan ; Hong, Shi‐Rong ; Yang, Wen‐Ting ; Huang, Shih‐Han ; Chang, Ya‐Chu ; Wang, Hsien‐Chu ; Kao, Ching‐Lin ; Sun, Pin‐Chiao ; Chao, Ming‐Hong ; Lee, Yian‐Ying ; Tang, Ming‐Jer ; Lin, Yu‐Chun

Further information

• DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021110472
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022061015250149796862
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:25 AM CEST