Abstract
Background Microtubules are highly dynamic assemblies of the protein tubulin. Their dynamic behaviour is crucial to mitosis, the process of chromosomal division to form new cells. Microtubule dynamics are highly regulated during the cell cycle by endogenous cellular regulators. In addition, many antimitotic drugs and natural compounds alter the polymerisation dynamics of microtubules, blocking mitosis, and consequently, inducing cell death by apoptosis [1]. The drugs bind to diverse sites on tubulin and at different positions within the microtubule, and they have diverse effects on microtubule dynamics. However, by their common mechanism of suppression microtubule dynamics, they all block mitosis at the metaphase/ anaphase transition, and induce cell death. After treatment with different anti-tubulin drugs, it was also demonstrated that apoptosis occurs either in the interphase or in mitosis depending on the cell type and experimental conditions [2,3].
Highlights
Microtubules are highly dynamic assemblies of the protein tubulin
After treatment with different anti-tubulin drugs, it was demonstrated that apoptosis occurs either in the interphase or in mitosis depending on the cell type and experimental conditions [2,3]
It is well known that treatment of cells with nocodazole and other microtubule-interfering agents evokes the activation of stress response pathways, cell cycle arrest, and the induction of apoptosis
Summary
Microtubules are highly dynamic assemblies of the protein tubulin. Their dynamic behaviour is crucial to mitosis, the process of chromosomal division to form new cells. Many antimitotic drugs and natural compounds alter the polymerisation dynamics of microtubules, blocking mitosis, and inducing cell death by apoptosis [1]. The drugs bind to diverse sites on tubulin and at different positions within the microtubule, and they have diverse effects on microtubule dynamics. By their common mechanism of suppression microtubule dynamics, they all block mitosis at the metaphase/ anaphase transition, and induce cell death. After treatment with different anti-tubulin drugs, it was demonstrated that apoptosis occurs either in the interphase or in mitosis depending on the cell type and experimental conditions [2,3]
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