microtubule nucleation (GO:0007020)

The process in which tubulin alpha-beta heterodimers begin aggregation to form an oligomeric tubulin structure (a microtubule seed). Microtubule nucleation is the initiating step in the formation of a microtubule in the absence of any existing microtubules ('de novo' microtubule formation).

Specific

astral microtubule nucleation (GO:0030954) centrosome-templated microtubule nucleation (GO:0090222) chromatin-templated microtubule nucleation (GO:0090223) microtubule nucleation by microtubule organizing center (GO:0051418) mitotic spindle-templated microtubule nucleation (GO:0090221)

References

gene ontology: GO:0007020 PMID: 12517712