Microtubules and microfilaments can't operate independently?

[DoryTaylor]

My textbook says that it's due to the addition of other proteins that microtubules and microfilaments can perform their function. Does that mean that microtubules and microfilaments can't or never act independently?

[plasmodesmata11]

well, microtubules are made up of proteins, specifically alpha and beta tubulins. they also act as substrates for other proteins like dynein and kinesin. so i guess they do need the help of proteins, besides the fact that they are also made of proteins. does that help?

[JackBean]

what would that make sense to have just some filaments in the cell if there were not bound any proteins to it?

If you meant other proteins and not microtubules and microfilaments together

[DoryTaylor]

well, microtubules are made up of proteins, specifically alpha and beta tubulins. they also act as substrates for other proteins like dynein and kinesin. so i guess they do need the help of proteins, besides the fact that they are also made of proteins. does that help?

Oh, I know they're made of proteins, I was just wondering whether alpha and beta tubulins (in microtubules case) can operate independently. I was wondering if they need the help of proteins "all the time in every function".

what would that make sense to have just some filaments in the cell if there were not bound any proteins to it?

If you meant other proteins and not microtubules and microfilaments together

Hmm, I think I understand. Proteins are so universal in the cell they always act with microfilaments/tubules, right? I think it does make more sense that they always need proteins to perform a certain act, I just wanted to verify that.