The Antimitotic Tubulin Library is a collection of 18,000 compounds designed to target microtubules, which are vital components of the cytoskeleton. Microtubules play a crucial role in organizing various essential cellular processes, including cell shape, cellular polarity, cell motility, signal transduction, cell division, intracellular transport, and muscle contraction.
These hollow cylindrical protein fibers are composed of α- and β-tubulins arranged in alternating fashion, held together by non-covalent bond interactions. In cross-section, microtubules consist of 13 parallel α- and β-tubulin heterodimers. They are integral components of mitotic spindles, which are crucial for cell proliferation.
The dynamic nature of microtubules within the mitotic spindles makes them attractive targets for antimitotic agents. These agents can be classified into three major categories: microtubule stabilizing agents, primarily taxanes and epothilones; tubulin polymerization inhibitors that bind to the Vinca alkaloid site; and tubulin polymerization inhibitors that bind to the colchicine site.
The Antimitotic Tubulin Library offers a diverse range of compounds that have been designed to interact with microtubules and modulate their function. Studying these compounds can provide insights into the development of potential therapies that target microtubule-mediated processes and may have implications for conditions that rely on proper microtubule function, including cancer.
