Eribulin disrupts EB1-microtubule plus-tip complex formation

The proteins which bind to the MT plus-end are known as microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) and have been shown to promote MT growth and stabilization. Eribulin's plus-end binding suggests it may compete for binding sites with known +TIP proteins such as End-binding 1 (EB1).

To better understand the impact of eribulin plus-end binding in regard to the proteins which normally bind there, cells expressing GFP-EB1 were treated with various concentrations of eribulin. In a concentration dependent manner, GFP-EB1 became dissociated from the MT plus-ends following drug addition. Similar results were found with immuno-stained fixed cells.