Microtubules are essential components of the cytoskeleton, and play critical roles in a variety of cell processes, including cell shaping, intracellular tracking, cell division, and cell migration. Microtubule Protocols presents a comprehensive collection of essential and up-to-date methods for studying both the biology of microtubules and the mechanisms of action of microtubule-interacting drugs. The straightforward presentation of readily reproducible protocols is a hallmark of the Methods in Molecular Medicine(TM) series, and is evident in this volume. Methods presented range from the purification and characterization of microtubule proteins, analysis of post-translational modifications of tubulin, and determination of microtubule structure, to the visualization of microtubule and spindle behavior, measurement of microtubule dynamics, and examination of microtubule-mediated cellular processes. Both basic scientists and clinical researchers will benefit from this collection of state-of-the-art protocols for microtubule research.
Includes methods for the development and discovery of novel agents that target microtubulesIncludes readily reproducible protocols, tips for troubleshooting, and advice on avoiding common mistakes
Microtubules.- Large Scale Purification of Brain Tubulin With the Modified Weisenberg Procedure.- Purification and Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Microtubule-Binding Proteins from Xenopus Egg Extracts.- Preparation and Characterization of Posttranslationally Modified Tubulins From Artemia franciscana.- Studying the Structure of Microtubules by Electron Microscopy.- Fluorescence Microscopy of Microtubules in Cultured Cells.- Measurements of Stathmin-Tubulin Interaction in Solution.- Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics by Polarized Light.- Visualization of Spindle Behavior Using Confocal Microscopy.- Live Cell Approaches for Studying Kinetochore-Microtubule Interactions in Drosophila.- Analysis of Tubulin Transport in Nerve Processes.- Analysis of Microtubule-Mediated Intracellular Viral Transport.- Xenopus Oocyte Wound Healing as a Model System for Analysis of Microtubule-Actin Interactions.- Screening for Inhibitors of Microtubule-Associated Motor Proteins.- Clinical Pharmacology and Use of Microtubule-Targeting Agents in Cancer Therapy.- Studying Drug-Tubulin Interactions by X-Ray Crystallography.- Characterizing Ligand-Microtubule Binding by Competition Methods.- Methods for Studying Vinca Alkaloid Interactions With Tubulin.- High-Throughput Screening of Microtubule-Interacting Drugs.- Strategies for the Development of Novel Taxol-Like Agents.
