Tubulin (Microtubule) (MT)

Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal polymers composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers that are essential for maintaining the structural integrity and internal organization of muscle fibers (UniProt: P07437). In skeletal and cardiac muscle, they form a dense network that facilitates the intracellular transport of organelles and proteins and serves as a scaffold for signaling molecules (PubMed: 21903892). These structures also play a critical role in mechanotransduction, where they modulate the transmission of mechanical forces and influence the activity of ion channels and ROS-producing enzymes (PubMed: 22961110). In pathological conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and heart failure, the microtubule network often undergoes densification and post-translational modifications, such as detyrosination, which increases cellular stiffness and contributes to mechanical dysfunction (PubMed: 25635396). Pharmacological agents like colchicine and taxanes interact with microtubules by inhibiting or promoting tubulin polymerization, respectively, and are being explored for their potential to alleviate mechanical stress in diseased muscle (StatPearls: NBK431102). However, targeting microtubules in muscle fibers presents challenges, as systemic disruption can lead to adverse effects such as peripheral neuropathy and myotoxicity (PubMed: 23103498).

Other names

MicrotubuleTubulin polymerCytoskeletal microtubuleTubulin filament

Modulation of tubulin polymerization dynamics through either stabilization (preventing disassembly) or destabilization (inhibiting assembly) of the microtubule structure.