Figure 1

Fig. 1. MT dynamics during approach to the steady-state. Fluorescently labelled microtubules were imaged at the periphery of living melanophores shortly after pigment aggregation. Melanophores with dispersed pigment were injected with Cy-3 tubulin and 2 h later pigment aggregation was induced with adrenalin. Time-lapse series of images of microtubules were acquired beginning 20 min after adrenalin treatment. Distal (plus) ends of MTs displayed dynamic instability. Numerous free MTs (colorized in red) depolymerized from their proximal (minus) ends. Time in seconds shown in lower left corner. Bar, 5 µm.