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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton01:33

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments ̶   microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Each has characteristic features that distinguish them, including the dynamics of their assembly and disassembly, mechanical properties, polarity, and the type of molecular motors associated with them. Earlier, they were thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells; however, their homologs were...
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...
Cytoplasm01:16

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm consists of organelles and a framework of protein scaffolds called the cytoskeleton suspended in an aqueous solution, the cytosol. The cytosol is a rich broth of water, ions, salts, and various organic molecules.
Protein Folding and Misfolding
The cytoplasm is the location for several cellular processes, including protein synthesis and folding. The aqueous nature of the cytosol promotes protein folding such that the hydrophobic amino acid side chains are buried in the protein...
Cytoplasm01:24

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm consists of organelles and a framework of protein scaffolds called the cytoskeleton suspended in an aqueous solution, the cytosol. The cytosol is a rich broth of water, ions, salts, and various organic molecules.
Protein Folding and Misfolding
The cytoplasm is the location for several cellular processes, including protein synthesis and folding. The aqueous nature of the cytosol promotes protein folding such that the hydrophobic amino acid side chains are buried in the protein...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Cell cytoskeleton and tether extraction.

B Pontes1, N B Viana, L T Salgado

  • 1Laboratório de Pinças Óticas da Coordenação de Programas de Estudos Avançados, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Biophysical Journal
|July 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We found actin filaments within cell tethers, challenging existing theories of tether pulling. Our study also measured higher tether forces in 3T3 cells, highlighting membrane-cytoskeleton interactions.

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Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
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Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
08:02

Extracting Modified Microtubules from Mammalian Cells to Study Microtubule-Protein Complexes by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 3, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biomechanical engineering

Background:

  • Tether extraction from cells is a common biophysical technique.
  • Conventional models do not account for internal structures within extracted tethers.
  • Previous measurements of tether forces in 3T3 cells exist but may not reflect all cellular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the force-deformation curve during tether extraction from 3T3 cells using optical tweezers.
  • To identify the presence of intracellular components within cell tethers.
  • To measure and compare tether forces with previously reported values.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized optical tweezers to perform tether extraction from 3T3 cells.
  • Analyzed the force-deformation curve of the extracted tethers.
  • Measured steady and maximum tether force values.

Main Results:

  • Discovered the presence of actin filaments within the extracted tethers, contradicting prior assumptions.
  • Measured significantly higher steady and maximum tether forces compared to previous studies on 3T3 cells.
  • Provided experimental evidence supporting the theory of force barriers in membrane tube extension.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of actin filaments necessitates a revised theory for tether pulling from cells.
  • Measured forces suggest complex membrane-cytoskeleton interactions influencing tether properties.
  • Force-deformation analysis of tethers is a valuable tool for understanding cell membrane and cytoskeleton dynamics.