Contractile Proteins Flashcards
_______ and its binding proteins determine shape of the cell, cell locomotion and pinching of one cell into two.
Actin
Motor proteins, such as _______, are molecular machines that convert biochemical energy from ATP hydrolysis to mechanical energy that can move organelles along filaments or move filaments on proteins.
Myosin
Each actin subunit is called ________ actin. This is a 375 amino acid polypeptide carrying a tightly associated molecule of ATP or ADP.
Globular (G-actin)
G-actin subunits assemble head to tail to form a tight, right-handed helix called _________ actin.
Filamentous (F-actin)
F-actin has a slow growing (or degrading) ______ end and a faster growing ______ end (grows 5-10x faster).
Minus
Plus
Small oligomers of actin associate spontaneously but are unstable and disassemble readily. For a new actin filament to form, subunits must assemble into an initial aggregate (nucleus made of 3 actin monomers) that will elongate rapidly. This is called…
Filament nucleation
T/F. Actin monomers have bound ATP which is hydrolyzed to ADP and Pi following filament assembly. ATP is not required for polymerization, but actin will polymerize more rapidly with it.
True
What are the phases of assembly of actin polymers?
Nucleation (lag phase) Elongation (growth phase) Steady state (equilibrium phase)
The rate of subunit association is proportional to the concentration of free monomers. This is written as _________.
C x Kon
***C = concentration of free monomers
The rate of subunit dissociation is independent of monomer concentration. This is written as…
Koff
An apparent equilibrium is reached at the critical concentration of monomers (Cc), where ______ = ______.
Koff = Cc x Kon
Actin filaments organized into higher order structures, forming bundles or 3D networks within cells. Filaments are particularly abundant beneath the plasma membrane, where they form a network that does what?
- Provides mechanical support
- Determines cell shape
- Allows movement of cell surface – enabling cells to migrate, engulf particles, and divide
Actin filaments are assembled into two general types of structures, formed via interactions with accessory proteins. They are…
Actin bundles
Actin networks
Actin _______ are cross-linked into closely packed parallel arrays. Polarity of actin filaments is the same.
Bundles
Actin _______ are loosely cross-linked in orthogonal arrays that form 3D meshwork with more flexible gel-like properties. Makes cell flexible and polarity of actin filaments are different.
Networks
Actin filaments and _______ form a parallel bundle (actin bundle) that involves tight packing, preventing Myosin from entering the bundle. Holds two parallel filaments close together (i.e., Microvilli).
Fimbrin
***Has 2 actin binding domains
Actin filaments and _______ form a contractile bundle (actin bundle) that involves loose packing, allowing Myosin to enter the bundle (i.e., Contractile ring used in mitosis).
Alpha-actinin
***Binds as a dimer
Actin filaments in networks are held together by large actin-binding proteins. ________ binds actin as a dimer, with the actin-binding domains on opposite ends of the dimer. This creates a 3D meshwork and are present in cells that need to withstand forces.
Filamin
These are thin projections of the plasma membrane supported by actin bundles. The formation and retraction of these structures is based on the regulated assembly and disassembly of actin filaments.
Filopodia
These are broad, sheet-like extensions at the leading edge of cell containing a network of actin filaments.
Lamellipodia
These are based on actin filaments cross-linked into a 3D network, responsible for phagocytosis.
Pseudopodia
Erythrocytes contain an actin binding protein called ________. It is composed of tetramers which associate laterally and forms an actin network that creates a cortical cytoskeleton.
Spectrin