cl10017

Tubulin/FtsZ: Family includes tubulin alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-, and epsilon-tubulins as well as FtsZ, all of which are involved in polymer formation. Tubulin is the major component of microtubules, but also exists as a heterodimer and as a curved oligomer. Microtubules exist in all eukaryotic cells and are responsible for many functions, including cellular transport, cell motility, and mitosis. FtsZ forms a ring-shaped septum at the site of bacterial cell division, which is required for constriction of cell membrane and cell envelope to yield two daughter cells. FtsZ can polymerize into tubes, sheets, and rings in vitro and is ubiquitous in eubacteria, archaea, and chloroplasts.