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Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

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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.
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Actin Polymerization01:42

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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...
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Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments01:14

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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...
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Actin Filament Depolymerization01:19

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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).
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Actin is a highly conserved cytoskeletal protein found abundantly in eukaryotic cells. It constitutes 10% weight of the total cellular protein in muscle cells, while in non-muscle cells, it is lower and makes up around 1–5 percent of the total cell protein. Actin found in the unicellular amoebae and complex multicellular animals is around 80% similar, demonstrating their conservation over a billion years of evolution.  Actin coding genes are conserved within species and across...
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Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within the sarcomere of muscle cells). The mechanism of non-muscle cell contractile bundles was first observed in Dictyostelium and Acanthamoeba. In non-muscle cells, two bundles are commonly found: stress fibers and actomyosin adherence belts. These contractile bundles are smaller and less organized than the ones found in muscle cells. They  are held...
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Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
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Actuators Acting without Actin.

Anja Geitmann1

  • 1Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QE H9X 3V9, Canada.

Cell
|July 2, 2016
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cardamine hursuta seeds disperse explosively via fruit opening. This plant mechanical action results from a combination of turgor pressure regulation and cell wall properties.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant biomechanics
  • Plant reproduction

Background:

  • Plants utilize actuators for organ movement, enabling responses to environmental stimuli and mechanical functions.
  • Seed dispersal is a critical aspect of plant reproduction and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biomechanical mechanism behind the explosive seed dispersal in Cardamine hirsuta.
  • To understand the interplay of turgor regulation and cell wall properties in fruit opening.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of Cardamine hirsuta fruit opening.
  • Analysis of turgor regulation within fruit cells.
  • Assessment of cell wall mechanical properties during fruit dehiscence.

Main Results:

  • The explosive opening of Cardamine hirsuta fruits was confirmed as the seed dispersal mechanism.
  • A complex interaction between turgor pressure changes and the mechanical characteristics of cell walls was identified as the driving force.
  • Specific cell wall properties were found to be crucial for the rapid and forceful fruit splitting.

Conclusions:

  • The study elucidates the sophisticated biomechanical strategy employed by Cardamine hirsuta for seed dispersal.
  • Turgor regulation and cell wall mechanics are key determinants of explosive fruit opening in this species.
  • Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into plant adaptation and evolutionary strategies for reproduction.