Dynamics of Microtubule Self-Assembly

Microtubules are linear intracellular polymers that self-assemble from subunits of αβ-tubulin heterodimers, and serve as essential mediators of cellular processes including cell division, migration, as well as intracellular transport. Each of these functions is dependent on the microtubule structure and self-assembly dynamics. Here we discuss the dynamics of microtubule structure and subunit addition and loss in the process of microtubule self-assembly, highlighting how these nanometer/molecular-scale dynamics manifest themselves at the micrometer/cellular-scale.