Lecture 6: Cytoskeleton Flashcards
Cytoskeleton is made up of these three specific protein structures
Microfilaments (actin)-7nm thick
Intermediate filaments- 8-10nm thick
Microtubules- 25nm in diameter
Characteristics of Actin
Highly conserved among eukaryotes
7nm thick, up to 7um in length
Organized into bundles and 3D networks
Bind to specific transmembrane proteins directly or indirectly
Exist as monomers (G-actin) and long chains (F-actin)
Why do actin filaments display polarity
Because all actin monomers are oriented in the same direction
First step in actin polymerization
Nucleation: a trimer is formed, then additional actin can be added to either side
The growing end is barbed or pointy
Barbed
Treadmilling
Intermediate concentrations of G-actin favor a dynamic equilibrium between the +/- end. No net growth
Low concentrations of G-actin favor
Depolymerization of actin filaments
Higher concentrations of G-actin favor
Net addition of actin at both ends, therefore growing the actin filament
Cytochalasins
Bind to barbed ends of actin, block elongation
Can inhibit movements (e.g., cell division)
Phalloidin
Binds to actin filaments and prevents dissociation
Can be labeled with fluorescent dyes to allow visualization of actin filaments
Diversity of function of actin filaments in a cell is determined by
Actin-binding proteins
Spectrin
Found in RBCs
Binds cortical cytoskeleton to plasma membrane
Dystrophin
Binds cortical cytoskeleton to plasma membrane
Villin and Fimbrin
Cross-links actin in microvilli
Calmodulin and Myosin I
Cross-links actin to plasma membrane in microvilli
alpha-Actinin
Cross-links stress fibers and connects actin to protein-plasma membrane complexes
Filamin
Cross-links actin at wide angels to form screen-like gels
Thymosin
Captures/bind actin monomers, prevents them from being polymerized
Profilin
Binds to actin monomers and prevents them from being polymerized
Facilitates exchange of bound ADP for ATP-which favor polymerization
Gelsolin
Destabilizes F-actin and caps actin filaments, preventing loss and addition of G-actin
In presence of calcium ion, it fragments actin filaments and stays bound to +end
Cofilin
Triggers depolymerization of ADP-bound actin at the minus end
Arp2/3
Initiates polymerization of F-actin from sides of existing filament (causes branching)