The Evolution of Microtubule End-Binding Protein 1 (EB1) and Roles in Regulating Microtubule Behavior

All organisms must transmit genetic information to offspring through cell division, and mitotic spindle participates in the process. Spindle dynamics through depolymerization or polymerization of microtubules generates the driving force required for chromosome movements in mitosis. To date, studies have shown that microtubule arrays control the directions of cell division and diverse microtubule-associated proteins regulate cell division. But a clear picture of how microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins modulate cell division remains unknown. Depletion of end-binding protein 1 by RNA-mediated inhibition shows that one of the microtubule-associated proteins, end-binding protein 1, plays a crucial role in mitotic spindle formation and promotes microtubule dynamics and is needed for the proper segregation of mitotic chromosomes during anaphase in Drosophila cells. Here, we review the properties of end-binding protein 1 and the roles of end-binding protein 1 in regulating microtubule behavior and in cell cycle.