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#microtubule organizing center

3 public questions tagged with this topic.

Cytoskeleton

The structure of centrosomes consists of:

Interphase and mitotic microtubule organizing center centrosome in animal cells comprises two centrioles plus surrounding pericentriolar material forming cloud. Centrioles are barrel shaped cylinders about 200 nanometers diameter 500 nanometers long each built from nine triplet microtubule blades arranged with rotational symmetry clockwise when viewed distal. Each triplet contains complete A tubule 13 protofilaments and partial B and C tubules 10 protofilaments sharing walls providing mechanical strength. Pair arranged orthogonal mother more mature with appendages. Pericentriolar material is d

Ref: Conduit et al., Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2015 – Centrosome structure pair cylindrical centrioles and PCM organization.

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Cytoskeleton

Which structure serves as the nucleation site for microtubule polymerization in animal cells?

Cytoplasmic microtubule arrays need defined origin to orient trafficking and establish cell polarity and division symmetry. In animal cells primary microtubule organizing center is centrosome positioned near nucleus serving as focal nucleation point and signaling hub. Ultrastructurally centrosome comprises pair of cylindrical centrioles surrounded by amorphous pericentriolar material enriched in coiled coil proteins pericentrin Cep192 and gamma tubulin ring complexes gamma TuRC. Centrioles provide 9 fold symmetry scaffold stabilized by polyglutamylated triplets while PCM concentrates nucleatio

Ref: Doxsey, Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2001: Centrosome as nucleation site for microtubule polymerization organization.

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