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Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

Generation 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...

Actin Polymerization

Actin Polymerization

Actin polymerization occurs through the head-to-tail association of binding sites on monomeric actin or G-actin to form filamentous or F-actin. The polymerization can be divided into three phases ̶ nucleation, elongation, and steady-state phase.
The nucleation phase involves forming a stable nucleus consisting of three actin monomers to form a new actin filament. Actin-binding proteins such as formins and Arp2/3 complex help filament growth post-nucleation. The Formins form straight actin...

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin 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.

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

The polymerization of G-actin monomers into filamentous F-actin is a multi-step process. Once the F-actins are formed, they can bundle together in different arrangements to form higher-order networks and regulate cellular functions. Common examples include the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia at the cell's leading edge by actin reorganization in a migrating cell. The microvilli on the brush border epithelial cells are also formed through the F-actin network.
The high-order actin networks...

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Mechanism 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...

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

In Vitro Polymerization of F-actin on Early Endosomes

In Vitro Polymerization of F-actin on Early Endosomes

Published on: August 28, 2017

Plant formins: membrane anchors for actin polymerization.

Peter A C van Gisbergen¹, Magdalena Bezanilla

¹Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology

|January 16, 2013

Summary

Plant formins regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics, crucial for cell functions. Diverse plant formins link the plasma membrane to actin remodeling, impacting cell growth and morphology.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

In Vitro Polymerization of F-actin on Early Endosomes

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Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles

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Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Published on: October 28, 2022

Area of Science:

Plant cell biology
Cytoskeletal dynamics
Molecular plant science

Background:

The actin cytoskeleton is vital for plant cell functions like transport, growth, and morphology.
Formins are key regulators of actin polymerization across eukaryotes.
Plant formins exhibit diversity, originating early in land plant evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evolving understanding of plant formin function.
To highlight the shift from biochemical characterization to in vivo studies.
To emphasize the role of formins in linking the plasma membrane and actin remodeling.

Main Methods:

Review of recent in vivo studies on plant formins.
Analysis of distinct biochemical activities and cellular functions.
Investigation of conserved links between formins and the plasma membrane.

Main Results:

Distinct biochemical activities of plant formins correlate with specific cellular functions.
Plant formins demonstrate a conserved direct association with the plasma membrane.
Formin diversity is linked to early land plant evolution through expansion and domain acquisition.

Conclusions:

Plant formins are essential regulators of the actin cytoskeleton.
The plasma membrane-formin connection is a conserved mechanism in plants.
Understanding plant formin in vivo function is critical for cell biology.