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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
08:40
Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins
Published on: October 28, 2022
Regulation of apicomplexan actin-based motility
Jake Baum1, Anthony T Papenfuss, Buzz Baum
1Division of Infection and Immunity, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|July 18, 2006
Summary
Apicomplexan parasites use unique actin-based gliding motility to invade host cells. Understanding parasite actin and its regulation may lead to new ways to block motility and prevent disease.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apicomplexan parasites are significant pathogens causing diseases in humans and animals.
- These protozoan parasites employ a unique actin-based motility, termed gliding motility, for host cell targeting and invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unique features of apicomplexan parasite actin and its regulatory mechanisms.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for blocking parasite motility and preventing infections.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent molecular studies on apicomplexan parasites.
- Examination of completed genomes from various Apicomplexa species.
Main Results:
- Apicomplexan actin and its regulation exhibit unique characteristics distinct from host actin.
- These unique features are central to the parasite's gliding motility motor.
Conclusions:
- The distinct nature of parasite actin presents potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
- Blocking apicomplexan motility could be a novel strategy to prevent and treat parasitic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments
The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex. Formin-mediated assembly results in straight filaments, whereas Arp2/3 protein complex-mediated assembly results in branched actin filaments.
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...
01:13Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
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01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
01:19Actin Filament Depolymerization
Actin filaments (F-actin) are composed of actin subunits. The dissociation of actin monomers can occur from either end of F-actin. The rate of dissociation is faster from the minus-end or the pointed end, where the actin subunits exist with a bound ADP, together known as ADP-actin. The depolymerization of F-actin is aided by proteins, including the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and cofilin family of proteins, gelsolin, and glia maturation factor (GMF).
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
01:24Microtubules in Cell Motility
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