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Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization01:42

Actin Polymerization

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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

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

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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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Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

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The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
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Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

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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...
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Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

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Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal proteins with higher tensile strength and flexibility than microfilaments and microtubules. Unlike the other two cytoskeletal proteins, intermediate filament formation lacks the enzymatic activity to hydrolyze nucleotides like ATP and GTP to generate energy for polymerization. Therefore, the formation of intermediate filaments is multistep self-assembly. The involvement of any accessory proteins in intermediate filament formation has not yet been...
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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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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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Filament Nucleation Tunes Mechanical Memory in Active Polymer Networks.

Vikrant Yadav1, Deb S Banerjee2, A Pasha Tabatabai1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 10 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA.

Advanced Functional Materials
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This study reveals how F-actin nucleation controls active material shape. Intermediate nucleation creates topological defects, enabling shape memory in biomimetic materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cellular Biophysics
  • Polymer Physics

Background:

  • The F-actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic polymer network essential for cell mechanics and shape.
  • Understanding how active polymer networks grow and remodel is crucial for designing functional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of F-actin nucleation in regulating mechanical energy and material properties.
  • To explore how varying nucleation density affects the formation of topological defects and shape memory in biomimetic cytoskeletons.

Main Methods:

  • Constructed a biomimetic model of the cytoskeleton using purified F-actin.
  • Varied the extent of F-actin nucleation from a membrane surface.
  • Analyzed polymerization-induced bending energy, material relaxation, and filament assembly dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Low and high F-actin nucleation resulted in isotropic materials with low, relaxed bending energies.
  • Intermediate nucleation led to a 100-fold increase in internal energy due to unrelaxed stresses.
  • High filament curvatures at critical nucleation templated further assembly, forming stable, vortex-like topological defects.

Conclusions:

  • F-actin nucleation acts as a critical control point for mechanical energy accumulation and dissipation.
  • Intermediate nucleation densities are essential for generating and stabilizing topological defects in active materials.
  • This mechanism allows active materials to encode shape memory by coordinating mechanical and chemical timescales.