BP

GO:0007020

microtubule nucleation

The process in which tubulin alpha-beta heterodimers begin aggregation to form an oligomeric tubulin structure (a microtubule seed). Microtubule nucleation is the initiating step in the formation of a microtubule in the absence of any existing microtubules ('de novo' microtubule formation).

IMP

BP

GO:0031116

positive regulation of microtubule polymerization

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of microtubule polymerization.

IMP

BP

GO:0031122

cytoplasmic microtubule organization

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of structures formed of microtubules and associated proteins in the cytoplasm of a cell.

IMP

CC

GO:0005737

cytoplasm

All of the contents of a cell excluding the plasma membrane and nucleus, but including other subcellular structures.

IEA

CC

GO:0005813

centrosome

A structure comprised of a core structure (in most organisms, a pair of centrioles) and peripheral material from which a microtubule-based structure, such as a spindle apparatus, is organized. Centrosomes occur close to the nucleus during interphase in many eukaryotic cells, though in animal cells it changes continually during the cell-division cycle.

IDA

CC

GO:0015630

microtubule cytoskeleton

The part of the cytoskeleton (the internal framework of a cell) composed of microtubules and associated proteins.

IDA

CC

GO:0035371

microtubule plus-end

The growing (plus) end of a microtubule. In vitro, microtubules polymerize more quickly at the plus end than at the minus end. In vivo, microtubule growth occurs only at the plus end, and the plus end switches between periods of growth and shortening, a behavior known as dynamic instability.

IDA

MF

GO:0005515

protein binding

Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).

IPI