Tubulin inhibitors are drugs that interfere directly with the tubulin system, which is in contrast to those drugs acting on
DNA for
cancer chemotherapy.
Microtubules play an important role in
eukaryotic cells. Alpha- and beta-tubulin, the main components of microtubules, have gained considerable interest because of their function and biophysical properties and has become the subject of intense study. The addition of tubulin ligands can affect microtubule stability and function, including
mitosis, cell motion and intracellular
organelle transport. Tubulin binding molecules have generated significant interest after the introduction of the
taxanes into clinical
oncology and the general use of the
vinca alkaloids. These compounds inhibit cell mitosis by binding to the protein tubulin in the
mitotic spindle and preventing
polymerization or
depolymerization into the microtubules. This mode of action is also shared with another natural agent called
colchicine.