We propose a role for GTP hydrolysis in microtubule assembly in which the GTPase reaction serves to stabilize tubulin subunits in the microtubule. The GTPase reaction in tubulin subunits containing GTP at microtubule ends is presumed to occur predominately in subunits at one of the interfaces between a cap of GTP-containing tubulin subunit and a core of GDP-containing tubulin subunit in the mic...

Microtubules are flexible polymers whose mechanical properties are an important factor in the determination of cell architecture and function. It has been proposed that the two most prominent neuronal microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), tau and MAP2, whose microtubule binding regions are largely homologous, make an important contribution to the formation and maintenance of neuronal processe...

Increased microtubule density, for which microtubule stabilization is one potential mechanism, causes contractile dysfunction in cardiac hypertrophy. After microtubule assembly, alpha-tubulin undergoes two, likely sequential, time-dependent posttranslational changes: reversible carboxy-terminal detyrosination (Tyr-tubulin left and right arrow Glu-tubulin) and then irreversible deglutamination (...