L4 - Cytoskeleton Flashcards
cytoskeleton function
1) framework for cell
2) stability
3) shape change (spreading)
4) cell movement
3 types of polymers
1) actin filaments
2) microtubules
3) intermediate filaments
actin filament monomer
actin
actin filament size
smallest
microtubules monomer
heterodimer made of a + B subunits of tubulin
intermediate filaments
intermediate filament proteins
what is the nuclear lamina beneath the inner nuclear membrane made of?
intermediate filaments
what are some times of intermediate filament proteins?
1) keratin
2) vimentin
describe mechanical characteristic of intermediate filaments
flexible and rope-like
why are intermediate filaments so flexible
staggered long subunits
similarities between microtubules and actin filaments
1) single protofilament is thermally unstable
2) two ends polymerize at different rates
minus end speed
slow growing
plus end speed
fast growing
how are microtubules assembled?
GTP hydrolysis (GTP-tubulin dimers = fast growing, GDP-tubulin dimers = fast disassembly)
in microtubules, where does disassembly occur?
at plus end
how are actin filaments assembled?
ATP hydrolysis
what is the rate determining step for actin polymerization?
nucleation (3 actin monomers forming a trimer)
F-actin
actin filament
G-actin
oligomer (3 actin monomers coming together)
critical concentration
minimum concentration of monomers needed for the net addition
where is critical concentration higher?
- end
where is critical concentration lower?
+ end
treadmilling range
range where concentration of monomers between CcT and CcD