The microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) is a structure found in eukaryotic cells from which microtubules emerge. MTOCs have two main functions: the organization of eukaryotic flagella and cilia and the organization of the mitotic and meiotic spindle apparatus, which separate the chromosomes during cell division.

May 24, 2021 · For example, fibroblasts and endothelial cells move their MTOC position to reorient their microtubule networks to begin migrating or to change direction. Similarly, plant cells reorganize their microtubules to facilitate organismal movement, though cell walls prevent individual plant cell migration.

Triple staining of γ-tubulin, microtubules, and nuclei reveal that three types of MTOCs initiate spindles in bryophytes. Polar organizers in liverworts and plastid MTOCs in hornworts are unique and nuclear envelope MTOCs in mosses appear like those in seed plants.

Dec 30, 2022 · γ -tubulin ring complex facilitates microtubule nucleation. This is true both in animal and fungal cells with a single defined MTOC, as well as in plant cells, which have multiple, dispersed sites of microtubule nucleation.

Jun 1, 1997 · Finally, microtubule arrangements are facilitated by microtubule-organizing centres7 (MTOCs), entities that nucleate microtubules and influence their number, structure, polarity and spatial positionings.

Microtubules (MTs) are essential elements of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton and are critical for various cell functions. During cell division, plant MTs form highly ordered structures, and cortical MTs guide the cell wall cellulose patterns and thus control cell size and shape.

Aug 9, 2007 · We have traced the distribution of γ-tubulin through the cell cycle in representative land plants (embryophytes) and herein present data that have led to a concept of the pleiomorphic and migratory MTOC.

This is illustrated by comparing a single MTOC, the centrosome, at the centre of a radial microtubule array in an interphase cell (left) with multiple MTOCs, the nuclear envelopes, embedded in a...

Recent discoveries have shed new light on these mysterious organelles. A key element is γ-tubulin, which is ubiquitous in eukaryotes, including plants. Multiprotein complexes with γ-tubulin — ‘γ-somes’ — probaby serve as templates for microtubule initiation.

In most land plant cells, however, no such structures are observed and some have argued that plant cells may not have MTOCs. This review summarizes a number of experimental approaches toward the elucidation of those subcellular sites involved in …