Final Exam PHGY 170 Mod 4-6 Flashcards
Cytoskeleton
- Is a network of structural proteins that are found in all cell types
- functions such as signalling and vesicular transport
- defines shape of cell
Cytoskeleton structural proteins
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Actin
Cytoskeleton: intermediate filaments
Primary purpose of intermediate filament is to add mechanical strength to cells
Cytoskeleton: microtubules
Primary purpose of microtubules is to support trafficking within cells
Cytoskeleton: actin
Primary purpose of Aston is to support cellular motility or other large scale movements like contraction
Three types of cytoskeleton protein function
Binding
Conformation
Function
Cytoskeleton protein function: binding
Bind to a target like another protein to form polymers
Polymers
Molecules made of a large number of repeating units
Cytoskeleton protein function: conformation
When cytoskeleton proteins bind they undergo conformational changes
Cytoskeletal protein function: function
Function of these proteins is defined by the number and type of cytoskeletal proteins that are bound
Major classes of intermediate filaments
Classes: 1-6
Intermediate filaments: class I
Acidic keratins
Epithelial cells
Tissue strength and integrity
Intermediate filaments: Class II
Basic keratins
Epithelial cells
Tissue strength and integrity
Intermediate filaments: Class III
- Desmin, GFAP, vimentin, periphevin
- muscle, glial cells, mesenchymal cells, perphevin neurons
- sarcomere organization, integrity
Intermediate filaments: class IV
- neurofilaments
- neurons
- axon organization
Intermediate filaments: class V
- lamins
- nucleus
- nuclear structure and organization
Intermediate filaments: class VI
- nestin
- neurons
- axon growth
Two most common intermediate filaments
Class I and class II
Secondary structure of intermediate filaments
A-helices
B-sheets
A-helices
A helix is a tight coil that forms hydrogen bonds with the backbones of every fourth amino acid
B-sheets
Planes are formed between rows of amino acids with hydrogen bonds between the backbones
Tertiary and quaternary structure of intermediate filaments
Monomer
Dimer
Tetramer
Monomer
The coiled monomer is the tertiary structural level
Dimer
Two coiled monomers form a dimer by wrapping around eachother
Allows for maximum contact between two peptides
A quaternary structure
Tetramer
Two diners assemble in an antiparallel staggered manner.
Fundamental building block of intermediate filaments
Intermediate filaments (tetramers) stage 1
The formation of what is called a unit length filament. Formed by eight tetramers coming together
Intermediate filaments (tetramers) stage 2
Unit length filaments come together to form an immature filament. These interact loosely end to end
Intermediate filaments (tetramers) stage 3
Immature filament compacts to form a mature filament.
Three specialized intermediate filaments
Lamins
Desmins
Keratins
Lamins
A type of intermediate filament found solely in the nucleus that forms the nuclear matrix a dense network to protect chromatin
Desmins
A type of intermediate filament that does not form long thin filamentous structures but more so connects different cellular structures together. It is important for muscle structural integrity
Keratin
An important intermediate filament that binds to desmosomes to form a complex. Keratin makes up hair skin and nails
Intermediate filament assembly order
Monomers
Dimers
Tetramer
Unit length filament
Immature filament
Mature filament
Microtubules
Cellular trafficking, vesicles, cellular organelles within the cytoplasm
Not random they define how things move throughout
Microtubule organizing centre
Microtuble assembly here they require many proteins
Tubulins
Composed of dimerized proteins
Very large family of cellular proteins
Two specific tubulins: a-tubulin and B-tubulin
Steps of microtubule polymerization
Dimers form polymers
Polymer growth
Protofilament tubes
Assembly/disassembly
Dimers form polymers
Dimers will spontaneously assemble into unstable polymers that can quickly fall apart
Polymer growth
Once a polymer of at least six dimer subunits forms it is more stable and it may grow laterally and longitudinally. This forms protofilament
Protofilament tubes
Will form a sheet and will assemble into a tube of 13 Protofilament. This is the nucleation site for microtubles elongation.
Assembly/disassembly
At the ends of microtuble dimers continue to come and go. If the rate of assembly is greater than disassembly the microtubules grows if slow rate it disassemblies
Microtubles assembly
When GTP is bound to b-tubulin dimer polymerization is favoured and the diners will attach to eachother
Microtubule disassembly
When b-tubulin GTP is hydrolysed to GDP, the dimer undergoes a conformational change that promotes depolumerization
Microtuble polarity
Microtuble formed by end to end polymerization of dimers, ends are polarity. One end is plus the other minus. Growth occurs at both ends but at different rates extending faster from the plus end
Microtubule dynamic instability
Microtubule are very responsive and have the ability to grow and shrink or change directions to respond to changes in cellular environment
Microtubule catastrophe
GTP is converted to GDP on the tubulin dimers fall off resulting in rapid depolyerization to tubulin dimers at the plus end resulting in shortening of Microtuble
Measures against microtubule catastrophe
Capping
Rescue
Catastrophe aversion capping
Once a microtuble is of desired length the plus end can be bound by capping proteins. Which add tremendous stability and will keep them polymerized
Catastrophe reversal rescue
Occur spontaneously if there are enough GTP bound dimers present thus halting catastrophe
Motor proteins
Control trafficking by binding to cargo then bind to microtubule and walk along them
Two common types of microtubule motor proteins
Kinesin
Dynein
Kinesin walks towards plus end of microtubule well dynein moves to the minus end
Structure of dynein
Microtubule binding domains
Stalk
Head
Stem
Tail
Structure of Kinesin
Microtubule binding domains
Head
Stalk (coiled)
Tail
Walking motor proteins step 1
Head 1 is bound to the microtubule and head 2 is bound to ADP
Walking motor proteins step 2
The walking movement is initiated by ATP binding to head 1 which causes a conformational change that includes head 2 swinging around
Walking motor proteins step 3
Once head 2 is over binding site it binds to the microtubule and releases the ADP
Walking motor proteins step 4
The ATP at head 1 then undergoes hydrolysis so it is now ADP bound to head 1 which causes it to release from the microtubule
Walking motor proteins step 5
The entire process is then repeated but with ATP now binding to head 2 causing head 1 to swing around
Composition of actin and microtubules
Both are composed of globular proteins
Movement of actin and microtubules
Motor proteins are used to initiate movement along both cytoskeletal proteins
Actin monomers
Basic building block
Long thin filaments
Have high tensile strength
Tensile strength
Resistance to breaking under tension
Actin polymerization
The binding of ATP promotes assembly aka polymerization. Where the binding of ADP discourages polymerization which may lead to disassembly
Three stages of actin polymerization
Stage 1: nucleation
Stage 2: elongation
Stage 3: steady state
Actin polymerization: stage 1 nucleation
Two actin monomers can dimerize but nucleation occurs when a third actin monomer binds to the dimer forming a nucleus trimer
Actin polymerization: stage 2 elongation
Additional actin monomers added to nucleus. Actin elongates occurring in both directions
Actin polymerization: stage 3 steady state
Eventually the rate of assembly equals the rate of disassembly and net actin elongation ceases
Actin treadmilling
Same rate of removal and addition to the ends of actin
Actin binding proteins
Monomer binding proteins
Nucleating proteins
Capping proteins
Severing and depolymerization proteins
Cross linking proteins
Membrane proteins
Actin binding motor proteins
Actin binding proteins
Monomer binding proteins
Nucleating proteins
Capping proteins
Severing and depolymerization proteins
Cross linking proteins
Membrane proteins
Actin binding motor proteins
Actin binding proteins: monomer binding
Proteins that bind directly to the actin monomers and influence polymerization
Actin binding proteins: nucleating protein
Proteins that bind to actin polymers to increase their stability and can allow for growth of a new branch
Actin binding proteins: capping proteins
Proteins the bind to the plus or minus end and can stabilize the polymers to prevent disassembly and further assembly
Actin binding proteins: severing and deploymerizatiin proteins
Proteins that can bind to the actin polymer and sever or induce disassembly respectively
Actin binding proteins: cross linking proteins
Proteins that allow the side to side linkage of actin polymers to form bundles of actin filaments