Ezekiel C. Thomas

Taccalonolide AJ uncouples tubulin GTP hydrolysis from microtubule depolymerization

This study shows that taccalonolide AJ stabilizes microtubules through a mechanism distinct from paclitaxel, promoting a compacted, post-GTP hydrolysis state that resists depolymerization.

Tubulin C-terminal tails are pH sensors that regulate microtubule function

The paper investigates how tubulin C-terminal tails respond to pH changes and shows their role in regulating microtubule interactions through protonation of glutamate residues.

Taxol exploits molecular switches within tubulin to stabilize microtubules.

This study identifies structural switches in tubulin that Taxol exploits to stabilize microtubules by reverting them to a pre-hydrolysis state.

Accessibility of the unstructured α-tubulin C-terminal tail is controlled by microtubule lattice conformation

The paper investigates the accessibility of the α-tubulin C-terminal tail (Y-CTT) and finds it is regulated by microtubule lattice conformation through nucleotide state and MAP interactions.

Selective regulation of kinesin-5 function by β-tubulin carboxy-terminal tails

This study identifies a molecular mechanism by which β-tubulin tails selectively regulate kinesin-5 motors, ensuring proper mitotic spindle function in budding yeast.