[Role of microtubule cytoskeletons in the transduction of growth signals].

Attention has recently been paid to the role of microtubules in the transduction of growth signals, which has recently been establishing as a molecular function of microtubule cytoskeletons. The analysis of pathways in the signal transductions which are initiated by the activation of tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of growth factor receptors now seems to come to deal with events deeper inside the cell. It was recently found that MAP kinase which preferentially phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein 2 is largely activated at the G0/G1 transition by any of various growth stimuli. The kinase is also activated at the G2/M transition in the downstream of MPF (cdc2 kinase). Furthermore, it was suggested that a GTP-binding protein (51-kD protein) in the centrosome plays a role in the microtubule signalling at the onset of mitosis. This minireview discusses possible signalling pathway from the activation of tyrosine-specific protein kinase of the growth factor receptor to the initiation of mitosis.