Microtubule protein beta-tubulin (β-tubulin)

Microtubule protein beta-tubulin is one of the main protein subunits (alongside alpha-tubulin) forming microtubules, hollow tubular structures essential for cell division, intracellular transport, and maintenance of cell shape. β-tubulin has a compact molecular structure and binds guanine nucleotides and multiple drugs at distinct functional domains. As a critical cytoskeletal protein, β-tubulin is targeted by many chemotherapy drugs to disrupt cell division, especially in cancer. The protein is encoded by several genes, resulting in isotypes that play roles not only in normal physiology but also in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and tubulinopathies.

Other names

Tubulin, betaTUBB (gene name)Tubulin beta chainBeta-tubulin

Stabilization of microtubules (e.g., paclitaxel, docetaxel); Depolymerization or destabilization of microtubules (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, colchicine, benomyl); Inhibition of microtubule dynamics → disruption of mitosis/cell division and induction of cell death