lec 10- The cytoskeleton Flashcards
what are the three types of cytoskeletal elements?
-Microtubules (move vesicles)
-microfilaments/actin filaments (help with motility)
-intermediate filaments (structural support)
what type of polarity do epithelial cells have?
apical-basal polarity
which cytoskeletal component is the largest?
microtubules
what are the two types of microtubules and what do they do?
cytoplasmic microtubules- found in cytosol and maintain nerve cells, move vesicles, formation of spindles, maintaining or altering cell shape
Axonemal microtubules- include the organized and stable microtubules found in the structure specialized for movement such as cilia, flagella, basal bodies to which cilia and flagella attach
what is the axoneme?
the central shaft of a cilium or flagellum, is a highly ordered bundle of MT’s
what is the structure and composition of microtubules (MT)?
MT are straight, hollow cylinders of varied length that consist of usually 13 longitudinal arrays of polymers called protofilaments
what makes protofilaments?
alpha-beta-heterodimers
how are a-tubulin and b-tubulin binded together to form a heterodimer?
by non-covalent bonds
what do MAPs (microtubule associated proteins) do?
have one domain attached to microtubule while other protrudes out as a tail, they stablilize the microtubule and help it take shape
how is MAP activity controlled?
MAP activity is controlled by the the addition or removal of the phosphate groups from amino acid residues
which MAP is responsible for alzheimers disease when it has high levels of phosphorylation?
tau
which type of binding sites do a-tubulin and b-tubulin have?
a-tubulin: has only a GTP binding site
b-tubulin: has both GTP and GDP
why do the ends of protofilaments have charges resulting in a polarity?
it is due to the dimers in the MT being oriented the same way
which tubulin when exposed results in minus and plus end?
alpha exposed makes the end negative, while beta makes it positive
in what patter do microtubules extend outwards to support the cells shape?
a radial array, resulting in round flattened shape
can microtubules also play a key role in maintaining the internal organization of cells?
yes
which drugs depolarize or disassemble microtubules?
colchicine and nocodazole