We are proud to announce the publication of our study in Science Advances, where we uncovered a previously unrecognized mechanism by which the enzyme TTLL11 modifies microtubules. Using cryo-EM, mass spectrometry, and cell-based assays, we show that TTLL11 directly elongates the primary tubulin chain rather than only creating side branches, challenging long-standing models of how polyglutamylation works. Our findings reveal new layers of complexity within the “tubulin code” and its crosstalk with other modifications, with implications for understanding cytoskeleton function in health and disease. This work, led by our team at the Institute of Biotechnology CAS in collaboration with partners in Grenoble and Prague, represents a major step forward in decoding how microtubules are regulated. Congratulations to Jana Campbell, Mirka Vosahlikova, and all co-authors for this achievement!
