Cell Biology Chapter 5 Flashcards
Cytoskeleton
occupies large portion of cytosol and appears to link organelles to each other and to plasma membrane
The three elements/types of the Cytoskeleton
- Intermediate Filaments
- Microtubules,
3 Actin Filaments
Elements do not form mixed polymers
True or False?
True
Intermediate Filaments properties …
1(IFs) Are The Strongest, Most Stable Elements Of The Cytoskeleton
- Provides strength to the cell
- Typically stable polymers
- Wide variety enables cells to withstand many different types of forces
The IF Genes in Humans Are Classified Into Six Groups. Name them
Class I - VI
70 IF genes form 75 different IF proteins
- Alternative splicing
- Largely tissue specific
Characteristics of IF
- All IFs are only effective as a polymer
- Primary structure does not give tensile strength…essentially all strongs of amino acids have similar tensile strength in that form
- A central alpha-helical domain provides lots of tensile strength
- Stablized by hydrogen bonds
- Try to stretch it out H-bonds prevent it from collapsing
Intermediate subunits form diamers
IF Subunits Form Coiled-Coil Dimers. Thus Tertiary Structure is illustrated
Homologous or Heterologous Assembly
Two alpha-helices form a coiled-coil
VERY STRONG STRUCTURE
Maximizes surface contact between two polypeptide chains
AKA a leucine zipper motif
coiled diamers now form…
antiparallel staggered structures
An Anti-parallel staggered tetramer assembly
Assembly is spontaneous and does not require input of energy
Why Post-translational modifications of IFs? …..
modifications control the shape and function of intermediate filaments
Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation
Phosphorylation dissolves lamin intermediate filaments in order to degrade the nuclear envelope during cell division
types of Post-translational modificat
- Glycosylation
- Farnesylation
- Transglutamination of head and tail domains
Lamins
- Form a Cage Inside the Nucleus
- Found exclusively in the cell nucleus
- Three Lamin Genes in mammals undergo alternative splicing to produce 6 different Lamin subunits
- A, B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2
- Each cell contains at least one version of all three types (A,B,C)
Specialized long helical domain distinguishes them from cytoplasmic Ifs, ensuring that they do not co-polymerize with shorter IF
IFs Form Specialized Structures
Largest and most diverse group of IFs are Keratins In Epithelium
Keratins In Epithelium
- has Humans have 54 different genes
- Obligate heterodimers (TypeI and Type II subunits) dictate differential developmental and expression patterns
- Found in epithelial cell cytosol
- Essential components in cell adhesion complexes such as hemidesmosomes and desmosome
Desmin
Desmin is Essential for Muscle Function
- Desmin is a Type III IF that forms homodimers
Part of the contractile apparatus
- In Smooth muscle cells connects to actin filaments
- In Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle is concentrated in the Z-lines of the sarcomere
Which statement about intermediate filaments is false?
A) When they are phosphorylated, they completely unfold to primary structure.
B) They have a core helical structure
C) Some form a protective layer on the inside surface of the inner nuclear membrane.
D) Phosphorylation of some causes dissolution of the nuclear envelope.
E) They are found in most eukaryotic cells.
Points Earned: 1.0/1.0
Correct Answer(s): A
What property of intermediate filaments makes them so resistant to tensile force (pulling)?
A) They contain more disulfide bonds than most other proteins.
B) They form coiled-coil dimers, which resemble strands in a rope.
C) They form filamentous polymers like other elements of the cytoskeleton.
D) They attach to hemidesmosomes.
E) They are not dissolved by most detergents.
Points Earned: 1.0/1.0
Correct Answer(s): B
Can microtubules form in the absence of γTuRC?
) Yes, they can spontaneously polymerize in a test tube
Costameres as a Desmin-containing Complex
Costameres link the contractile appartus to plasma membrane-localized receptors.
Mutations in costamere proteins (like desmin) can result in different types of muscular dystrophies
Costameres are ESSENTIAL for proper muscle function
Microtubules Organize Movement Within the Cell
- Cells Can Sort and Direct its Contents
- Stable Tracks
- To a Destination
- Energy-Dependent
- Network Varies from Cell to Cell – No two cells are alike
MT cytoskeleton is a network
of “roads” for molecules “pass to and fro”
Microtubules – The Basics
Subunits called tubulin
Assembly requires a large complex of proteins and energy input
Microtubule-organizing Complex (MTOCs) called centrosomes can nucleate (initiate) the assembly of microtubules
- Not found in plant cells
- Found in most but not all animal cells.
MTOCs duplicate during S phase to form the two poles of the mitotic spindle during mitosis.
Which statement best describes an intermediate filament tetramer?
It consists of two overlapping, intermediate filament dimers arranged in a staggered orientation lacking structural polarity
Which observation best illustrates treadmilling by microtubules?
Which observation best illustrates treadmilling by microtubules?
The MTOC Contains
The Gamma Tubulin Ring Complex (γturc) That Nucleates MT Formation
cluster of centrosome proteins is called
Pericentriolar material
gamma (γ) tubulin
found in the Pericentriolar, its a protein organized into helical or ring shape. initiates the formation of microtubles
The Primary Building Block Of MTs
Is An Alpha-beta Tubulin Dimer
- α- and β-tubulin bind together to form stable dimer
- If purified α-β tubulin dimers bound to GTP are concentrated enough (critical concentration), they spontaneously form MTs
Which of the following exhibit treadmilling
A) Microtubules B) Microfilaments C) Intermediate filaments D) Answers A and B E) Answers A, B and C Points Earned: 1.0/1.0 Correct Answer(s): D
Three Properties of MT Assembly
1) MTs are only composed of two proteins: α and β tubulin.
2) Tubulin binds GTP.
α is married to its GTP (because it is hidden between the dimer), but β is not! β-bound GTP can be hydrolyzed to GDP and inorganic phosphate. The GDP can fall off and a new GTP can take its place.
3) Assembly is rapid, spontaneous and reversible
MTs are hollow “tubes” composed of 13 protofilaments
1) Most short polymers dissasemble and are unstable
2) Some reach a critical size of 6-12 dimers and begin to grow
Polymers of dimers sheet composed of 13 protofilaments folds into a tube
Three Important Differences Between in vitro and in vivo Microtubule Studies
1) MTs are seldom “alone” in cells and they do not all behave in the same way. MT-binding proteins regulate their stability
2) Every MT in a cell lies in its own unique environment – it is very heterogeneous as opposed to a test tube
3) Living cells don’t hold still and the internal state constantly changes so some variables are difficult to control in vivo.