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Related Concept Videos

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...
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 Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
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.
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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Beyond the cytoskeleton: mesoscale assemblies and their function in spatial organization.

Maxwell Z Wilson1, Zemer Gitai

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|April 23, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New mesoscale protein assemblies, dynamic globules and crystalline scaffolds, organize cellular processes beyond the cytoskeleton. These structures enable cell-scale order and organize metabolism through self-assembly mechanisms.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Published on: June 23, 2022

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions
06:32

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions

Published on: July 28, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Mesoscale protein assemblies are increasingly identified in cells.
  • Traditionally viewed as cytoskeletal elements for structural support.
  • Emerging roles in organizing cellular processes at a larger scale.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Propose novel types of self-assembling macromolecular structures.
  • Explain their role in achieving cell-scale order.
  • Discuss mechanisms for assembly, regulation, and metabolic organization.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical proposal.
  • Analysis of existing studies on protein assemblies.
  • Conceptual modeling of self-assembly and regulation.

Main Results:

  • Identification of two proposed assembly types: dynamic globules and crystalline scaffolds.
  • These structures facilitate cell-scale organization.
  • Potential mechanisms for organizing metabolic enzyme complexes are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Dynamic globules and crystalline scaffolds represent a new class of cellular organizers.
  • These assemblies are crucial for cell-scale order and metabolic regulation.
  • Further research into their assembly and function is warranted.