LAUSR

Microtubules (MTs) are critical cytoskeletal filaments that exhibit several functions in cell morphogenesis, cell division, vesicle transport, and cytoplasmic separation in the spatiotemporal regulation of eukaryotic cells. MT formation requires the co-interaction of MT nucleation and α-β-tubulins, as well as MT-associated proteins (MAPs). Many key MAPs contributing to MT nucleation and elongation are essential for MT nucleation and regulation of MT dynamics and are conserved in the plant kingdom. Therefore, the deletion or decrease of γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) components and related MAPs, such as the augmin complex, NEDD1, MZT1, EB1, MAP65, etc., in Arabidopsis thaliana results in MT organization defects in the spindle and phragmoplast MTs as well as in chromosome defects. In addition, similar defects in MT organization and chromosome structure have been observed in plants under abiotic stress conditions such as under high UV-B radiation. MTs can sense the signal from UV-B radiation, resulting in abnormal MT arrangement. Further studies are required to determine whether the abnormal chromosomes induced by UV-B radiation are attributed to the involvement of abnormal MT arrays in chromosome migration after DNA damage.