Cytoskeleton Flashcards
Microtubules are?
25 nm in diameter. Major component is tubulin. Much more rigid than actin.
Microfilaments are?
6 nm in diameter. Major component is actin. G-actin is globular. F-actin is filament
Function of actin?
Associated with plasma membrane to determine the topology and is connected with the cellular functions of the membrane
4 examples of actin filaments
Microvilli
Stress fibers
Lamellipodia and filopodia for moving cell
Contractile ring during cell division
What form is actin in at low concentration?
Globular G-actin
In presence of ATP or ADP, as you increase actin concentration what happens?
Polymerizes into actin filament with a + and - end
Three phases of actin polymerization
Slow nucleation (just + nuclei) Fast elongation (both nuclei) Steady state
T or F: ATP is absolutely necessary for actin polymerization
F, can work in presence of ADP too just different kinetics
What is the actin critical concentration?
Minimal G-actin concentration needed for polymerization to occur. Above this concentration, you get mix of polymers and free subunits, below just free subunits.
Which end of actin grows faster?
Grow faster at + end than the - end. Critical concentration is lower at the + end than the - end. Can lead to a process known as treadmilling
Example of actin treadmilling
Leading edge of moving cells
What is an actin-monomer binding protein?
Regulates actin polymerization by binding to free actin molecules
What is thymosin? Profilin?
Thymosin is a actin-monomer binding protein. Profilin is antagonist to thymosin and promotes actin polymerization
How does listeria monocytogenes move inside a cell?
Recruits actin in the cell and polymerizes behind itself. Pushes the bacterium around using profilin. Can move fast enough to make a microvilli out of the host cell.
What are Arp 2/3?
Two actin related proteins that can catalyze the nucleation and polymerization of actin. Similar to the + end of actin. Binds to the minus end and encourages elongation at the + end of polymer.
What is gelsonin?
Caps the plus end of actin and severs it. Ca+2 mediated. From macrophages
What is villin?
Ca+2 activated F-actin severing protein. From intestine
What are capping proteins?
Cap actin to prevent degredation
How do platelets change shape to clot blood?
Drastically increase amounts of F-actin after stimulation
Describe platelet activation
Controlled sequence of actin filament severing, uncapping, elongation, recapping, and cross-linking of actin (mediated by Ca+2 and PIP2)
What are the general characteristics of F-actin cross linking proteins?
Two F-actin binding sites. The length and flexibility of the crosslinking protein determines whether bundles or networks are formed
Name 5 actin cross linking proteins
Spectrin, alpha-actinin, filamin, fimbrin, dystrophin
Alpha-actinin forms what?
Contractile bundles (muscle)
Fimbrin forms?
Parallel bundles that are tight (no myosin)