title: γ-Tubulin complexes in microtubule nucleation and beyond.
abstract: Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the functions of γ-tubulin and, in particular, its role in microtubule nucleation since the publication of its discovery in 1989. The structure of γ-tubulin has been determined, and the components of γ-tubulin complexes have been identified. Significant progress in understanding the structure of the γ-tubulin ring complex and its components has led to a persuasive model for how these complexes nucleate microtubule assembly. At the same time, data have accumulated that γ-tubulin has important but less well understood functions that are not simply a consequence of its function in microtubule nucleation. These include roles in the regulation of plus-end microtubule dynamics, gene regulation, and mitotic and cell cycle regulation. Finally, evidence is emerging that γ-tubulin mutations or alterations of γ-tubulin expression play an important role in certain types of cancer and in other diseases.
authors: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 boakley@ku.edu.
authors: Berl R
authors: BR
authors: Oakley
authors: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045.
authors: Vitoria
authors: V
authors: Paolillo
authors: Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218.
authors: Yixian
authors: Y
authors: Zheng
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D022101:Microtubule-Organizing Center / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin