Exam 1 9/8 Kingsley Flashcards
3 major components of the cytoskeleton
- microfilaments
- intermediate filaments
- microtubules
Synonymous names for microfilaments
thin filaments, actin filaments
Describe the structure of microfilaments (actin filaments)
G-actin monomers polymerize –> coil to form F-actin (filamentous form)
2 chains of globular protein, 6-8 nm thick
G-actin makes up how much of cellular actin content?
Half
Critical concentration of free actin is 0.2 micromoles, is lower than actual intracellular concentration. It should all polymerize, but why doesn’t it?
G-actin is bound by profilin and beta thymosin. Prevents polymerization until needed
Actin polymerization requires:
ATP
What is hydrolyzed during actin polymerization?
ATP; ADP becomes trapped in polymer
What monovalent cation is required during actin polymerization?
K+
What divalent cation is required during actin polymerization?
Mg2+
What terminates f-actin elongation?
capping proteins that attach to + end. gelsolin, cofilin, and severin are the capping proteins listed
What regulates f-actin capping proteins?
ADP, ATP, Ca2+
What removes f-actin capping proteins?
Polyphosphoinositide. This facilitates f-actin lengthening
Examples of actin-binding proteins
myosin, gelsolin, fimbrin, spectrin, talin, alpha-actinin
What are 3 main functions of actin-binding proteins?
capping, forming actin bundles, motility/adhesion
Actin filaments form:
bundles
Actin filaments vary in ____, which is determined by _____
length; function (non-muscle)
What are 3 main types of actin bundling?
- contractile bundling
- gel-like networks
- parallel bundles
What are some functions of contractile bundles?
- movement of organelles and vesicles
- endocytosis/exocytosis
- filapodia
- mitotic division (contractile rings)
contractile bundles are associated with:
myosin
How are contractile bundles arranged?
- loosely arranged and branched
- parallel to each other
- alternating + and - ends (myosin binding helps determine polarity)
Myosin I function
formation and retraction of cell protrusions
Myosin II function
forms thick filaments (15 nm), moves actin filaments (muscle)
Myosin V
participates in vesicle movement along actin
Describe gel-like bundles
membrane and cytoplasmic actin-rich network, maintains cell shape and structure, linked with other proteins
Parallel bundles have closely packed F-actin associated with:
fimbrin and villin proteins, which assemble f-actin to form microvilli
Villin
actin binding protein that stays pushed out due to gel like bundle. increases surface area in the intestines
Focal adhesion two main components
P-face ABP form attachments to cytoskeleton
E-face integrins link to ECM
Integrins are:
transmembrane glycoproteins
Integrins bind:
ECM to cytoskeleton; alpha/beta subunits bind ECM; beta subunits bind ABP; bind f-actin
What are filopodia?
actin rich membrane protrusions. Made of contractile bundles
Lamellipodia
leading edge of migrating cell, made of gel-like bundles
Filapodia and lamellipodia are anchored by:
focal adhesions; integrin mediated
Phalloidins
toxins from amanita mushroom
What do phalloidins do, and what is the remedy?
binds actin filament and prevents depolymerization (disturbs membrane flow and liver cell function). Remedy is eat raw meat to allow actin/myosin to bind phalloidin and reduce the toxicity
Size of intermediate filaments
8 to 10 nm
Desmosomes are a type of what kind of filament?
intermediate filament
Desmosomes function
anchor cell-cell junctions
Hemidesmosomes are a type of what kind of filament?
intermediate filaments