Chapter 25
The Cytoskeleton I: Actin and Microfilaments
Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments…
The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual…
The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory…
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or…
Plakins are large proteins with binding domains for microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and membrane-associated protein complexes…
The cytoskeleton is an essential cell component that plays several structural and functional roles. However, the filaments that make up the…
Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton…
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include…
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in…
Actin is a highly conserved cytoskeletal protein found abundantly in eukaryotic cells. It constitutes 10% weight of the total cellular protein in…
Actin polymerization occurs through the head-to-tail association of binding sites on monomeric actin or G-actin to form filamentous or F-actin. The…
Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic…
The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex.…
Actin filaments (F-actin) are composed of actin subunits. The dissociation of actin monomers can occur from either end of F-actin. The rate of…
The polymerization of G-actin monomers into filamentous F-actin is a multi-step process. Once the F-actins are formed, they can bundle together in…
Myosins are a family of molecular motor proteins, first identified in the skeletal muscles, where they are responsible for muscle contraction. Along…
Actin and myosin are contractile proteins that form the sarcomere found in skeletal muscle tissues for regulating muscle contraction. Actin, a…
Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within…
Study of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Live Endothelial Cells Expressing GFP-Actin
Free SampleFree access at this time
The microvascular endothelium plays an important role as a selectively permeable barrier to fluids and solutes. The adhesive junctions between…
X-ray Diffraction of Intact Murine Skeletal Muscle as a Tool for Studying the Structural Basis of Muscle Disease
Free SampleFree access at this time
Transgenic mouse models have been important tools for studying the relationship of genotype to phenotype for human diseases including those of…
Many early endosome functions, particularly cargo protein sorting and membrane deformation, depend on patches of short F-actin filaments nucleated…
