Introduction to Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present in cells, responsible for the cell shape, its internal organization, and functional polarity required for various roles, such as cell movement and division.

The cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure and can undergo reorganization in less than a minute or remains stable for several hours.

The three types of filaments that make up the cytoskeleton are-- microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. They are linked to each other and the plasma membrane with the help of accessory proteins.

Microfilaments are polymers of actin monomers. They are linked to each other and other cellular components through actin-binding proteins.

Microtubules are tubulin polymers that use microtubule-associated proteins to link to each other and other cellular elements. These filaments form mitotic spindles, responsible for segregation of chromosomes during cell division.

Intermediate filaments provide mechanical support to the cell and are made of various proteins that differ between different cell types. For example, the intermediate filaments of the epithelial cells are made of the protein keratin, whereas those of the peripheral neurons are made of peripherin.