lecture 9 Flashcards
besides actin what are 3 other cytoskeletal systems in cells
microtubules, intermediate filaments, septins
what is associated w/ lamellipodia
Arp 2/3
major function of intermediate filaments
provides structure and strength to cells and tissues
what can intermediate filaments connect to
actin
are microtubules dynamic
hella dynamic
where are minus ends of microtubules
found at centrosomes, where they are nucleated
where are plus ends of microtubules
radiate away from centrosomes, towards leading edge of this migrating cell (in this example)
what do plus ends of microtubules do
program where the leading edge is gonna go
what would happen if microtubules were growing in a diff direction
leading edge would switch and re-position to where microtubules were found
what is polarity of microtubules important for
dictating overall polarity of cell
describe polarity of microtubules
minus ends toward cell center, plus ends toward leading edge of cell plasma membrane
why do microtubules have dramatic effect on cell structure & function
plus ends direct where signaling molecules go & are activated –> generates lamellipodial actin that makes leading edge AND tracks for vesicles w cargo (toward leading edge)
what 2 things does polarized microtubules lead to
polarized signaling and polarized trafficking/secretion (both important for cells to move in a certain direction)
what is the brains of operation
microtubules
are intermediate filaments rlly dynamic
not really; kinda slower turnover
what do intermediate filaments do
provide structural strength & form physical barriers
what important thing can intermediate filaments do
can segregate one part of cytoplasm from another, form a cytoskeletal wall (thru bulk)
are intermediate filaments static or dynamic
relatively static (compared to microtubules & actin)
are intermediate filaments polarized
no; chemically identical
can intermediate filaments be used to traffic things?
no, because there’s no inherent directionality, nothing to tell motors moving vesicles which way to go
what else do intermediate filaments do
provide structural strength
what are 3 chemicals that affect microtubules
taxol, nocodazole, colcichine
what does taxol do
stabilizes microtubules, locking them into that configuration
what is a medical application of taxol
chemotherapy; kills rapidly dividing cancer cells by stabilizing & disrupting their microtubules