microtubule
noun
mi·cro·tu·bule
ˌmī-krō-ˈtü-(ˌ)byül 
-ˈtyü-
: any of the minute tubules in eukaryotic cytoplasm that are composed of the protein tubulin and form an important component of the cytoskeleton, mitotic spindle, cilia, and flagella
Examples of microtubule in a Sentence
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One color shows the cell nucleus (to mark where each cell is) and others show the structural component actin (which determines the shape of the cell) and the microtubules that are part of the communication and transport network within a cell.
—
Eva Amsen, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Penrose, together with anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, suggested that such collapse takes place in microtubules, tubelike, elongated structural proteins that form part of the cytoskeleton of cells, such as those making up the central nervous system.
—Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024
In healthy brains, tau proteins stabilize microtubules, which provide the scaffolding for cells and help transport nutrients.
—New Atlas, 23 July 2024
The identification of rare mutations in this gene that are more common in left-handers suggests that microtubules are involved in setting up the brain's normal asymmetries, Francks said.
—Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
In a brain ravaged by Alzheimer’s, microtubules, which are crucial to cell communication, disintegrate as tau proteins (blue) form tangles and amyloid proteins (green) form plaques.
—Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2019
The drug binds to the protein tubulin in cells, preventing it from forming into microtubules, which are vital structural components of cells.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Our cells’ overall structures are supported by microtubules, hollow tubes that give cells their shape.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2019
Along with another protein called tubulin, tau binds to these microtubules to keep them strong and stabilized.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2019
Eva Amsen, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Penrose, together with anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, suggested that such collapse takes place in microtubules, tubelike, elongated structural proteins that form part of the cytoskeleton of cells, such as those making up the central nervous system.
—Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024
In healthy brains, tau proteins stabilize microtubules, which provide the scaffolding for cells and help transport nutrients.
—New Atlas, 23 July 2024
The identification of rare mutations in this gene that are more common in left-handers suggests that microtubules are involved in setting up the brain's normal asymmetries, Francks said.
—Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
In a brain ravaged by Alzheimer’s, microtubules, which are crucial to cell communication, disintegrate as tau proteins (blue) form tangles and amyloid proteins (green) form plaques.
—Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2019
The drug binds to the protein tubulin in cells, preventing it from forming into microtubules, which are vital structural components of cells.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Our cells’ overall structures are supported by microtubules, hollow tubes that give cells their shape.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2019
Along with another protein called tubulin, tau binds to these microtubules to keep them strong and stabilized.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microtubule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Microtubule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microtubule. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
microtubule
noun
mi·cro·tu·bule
ˌmī-krō-ˈt(y)ü-(ˌ)byü(ə)l
: any of the minute tubules in eukaryotic cytoplasm that are composed of the protein tubulin and form an important component of the cytoskeleton, mitotic spindle, cilia, and flagella
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