ABSTRACT
This chapter on microtubule dynamics is conceived as a review of the major paradigms that have governed this research field. The dynamics of the formation of microtubules can be studied by a variety of techniques. In this chapter the mechanism of microtubule assembly are divided in sequential conceptual steps. The initial analysis of microtubule assembly in vitro is based on the theory of Oosawa, which had been successfully applied to the study of actin polymerization. It remains the basic framework to which regular reference will be made. Therefore, it will be discussed in some detail. Since the structure of the final polymeric product is a source of inspiration for the pathway of assembly, the chapter describes the microtubule structure, as well as the basic components of the system. Microtubules are formed by the reversible association of either pure tubulin, or of the microtubule protein mixture (MTP), i.e., the mixture of tubulin and the microtubule-associated proteins.
