Figure 8.

Post-translational modifications of tubulin (PMT). The image shows a segment of a microtubule formed by α/β-tubulin and its posttranslational modifications. The carboxyl terminals of α/β subunits are represented as a gray chain of amino acids. Both α and β-tubulin can be modified at these carboxyl ends by polyglycylation (green chains) or polyglutamylation (red chains). De- or re-tyrosination (blue circle) are specific modifications also at the carboxyl-terminal of tubulin. In contrast, acetylation (yellow circle) takes place in the amino-terminal domain of α-tubulin, especifically at the Lys40 residue.