Cytoskeleton Flashcards
What structure is in red? What structure is in green?
Red = F-actin
Green = microtubules
Complete the attached table.
GTP alpha/beta tubulin heterodimer
+ end
Yes
GTPase
Kinesins, Dyneins
MAPs
Stiff, hollow center
25nm diameter
All eukaryotes
Support, intracellular transport, cell organization
Complete the information in the table for intermediate filaments
Various globular proteins
Internal
No
None
None
Plakins
Tough, ropelike
10nm
Animals
Structural support
Complete the following table for actin.
ATP-actin monomers
+ end
Yes
ATPase
Myosins
Actin-binding proteins
8nm
All eukaryotes
Motility, contractility
What are the 4 key features of the cytoskeleton?
- Structure and support
- Intracellular transport
- Contractility and motility
- Spatial organization
Describe the structure of an individual microtubule
- A heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits
- Alpha and beta subunits both form alpha helices so they come together as a coiled coil to form a microtubule
- In a cross-section of microtubule, there are 13 subunits visible
- Globular protein
Describe the dynamic nature of a microtubule.
New subunits can be added to the positive end such that it grows some, becomes unsable and degrades some, and then extends some more
What causes dynamic instability in microtubules?
Once new alpha/beta subunits are added to the + end of microtubule, they hydrolyze their GTP to GDP + Pi, releasing energy. Some of this energy does into deforming the tubulin subunit, causing it to be most stable in a slightly curved state. This creates excess pressure on the microtubule as new subunits are added up stream of this happening and the microtubule is made unstable and collapses spontaneously.
Describe the structure of a centriole.
A centriole is made up of 9 clusters of microtubules. Each cluster consists of an A, B, and C tubule. The A tubule (closest to center) has 13 subunits, while B and C each have 10 subunits. They are connected to the one another by proteins that form a web like structure inside the centriole.
What is the centrosome?
The microtubule organizing center - all microtubules have their (-) ends attached to the centrosome. The centrosome consists of 2 centrioles.
What is the purpose of gamma tubulin?
Gamma tubulin is found only near the (-) end of the microtubule. It is added to proteins that anchor the microtubule to the MTOC and it provides a place to initiate polymerization of the microtubule using alpha and beta tubulin.
Kinesins
- Where do they transport cargo?
- Is their motion processive (never detaches from microtubule)?
- What do they use to power their motion?
- What is the purpose of the heavy chain?
- What is the purpose of the light chain?
- Toward (+) end of microtubule
- Yes
- GTP
- Catalytic core, binds to microtubule and provides motion
- Confers specifiticy for cargo that binds to kinesin
Describe how Kinesins work.
Head has GDP bound. Head recognizes microtubule via brownian motion (random). The head binds to the microtubule and releases GPD and binds GTP. This causes it to anchor to the microtubule. This gives the other head the chance to attach to the microtubule also. Once both heads bound, one hydrolyzes GTP to GDP + Pi, head dissociates and the released energy is used to catapult the head forward along the microtubule. Process repeats.
Dynein
- In what direction do they transport cargo?
- Do they require energy?
- Describe their mechanism of movement.
- Toward the (-) end
- Yes - they are also GTPases
- Their mechanism is the same as Kinesin
Are cellular contents always carried by only 1 kinesin or dynein?
No - some transport cargo require multiple kinesins and dyneins