dictionary help| MTOC --> microtubule organising centre | medical dictionary |
<cell biology> Rather amorphous region of cytoplasm from which microtubules radiate. The pattern and number of microtubules is determined by the microtubule organising centre.
The pericentriolar region is the major microtubule organising centre in animal cells, the basal body of a cilium is another example. Activity of microtubule organising centres can be regulated, but the mechanism is unclear.
Acronym: MTOC
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
American spelling: microtubule organising center
(11 Mar 2008)
microtubule-associated protein-2 phosphatase, microtubule-associated proteins < Prev | Next > microtubule-organizing centre, microtubules
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