γ-Tubulin complexes in microtubule nucleation and beyond

Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the functions of γ-tubulin and, in particular, its role in microtubule nucleation since the publication of its discovery in 1989. The structure of γ-tubulin has been determined, and the components of γ-tubulin complexes have been identified. Signifi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular biology of the cell 2015-09, Vol.26 (17), p.2957-2962
Main Authors: Oakley, Berl R, Paolillo, Vitoria, Zheng, Yixian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Cycle - physiology
Centrosome - metabolism
Humans
Microtubule-Organizing Center - metabolism
Microtubules - metabolism
Retrospective
Tubulin - biosynthesis
Tubulin - metabolism
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Summary:Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the functions of γ-tubulin and, in particular, its role in microtubule nucleation since the publication of its discovery in 1989. The structure of γ-tubulin has been determined, and the components of γ-tubulin complexes have been identified. Significant progress in understanding the structure of the γ-tubulin ring complex and its components has led to a persuasive model for how these complexes nucleate microtubule assembly. At the same time, data have accumulated that γ-tubulin has important but less well understood functions that are not simply a consequence of its function in microtubule nucleation. These include roles in the regulation of plus-end microtubule dynamics, gene regulation, and mitotic and cell cycle regulation. Finally, evidence is emerging that γ-tubulin mutations or alterations of γ-tubulin expression play an important role in certain types of cancer and in other diseases.
ISSN:1059-1524
1939-4586
DOI:10.1091/mbc.E14-11-1514