Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments01:14

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

3.3K
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...
3.3K
Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

3.2K
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...
3.2K
The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

4.7K
The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm).  These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate...
4.7K
Actin Filament Depolymerization01:19

Actin Filament Depolymerization

3.4K
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).
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
3.4K
Introduction to Actin01:26

Introduction to Actin

5.7K
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...
5.7K
Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

3.4K
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...
3.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Carvedilol Exerts Cardioprotective Effects Against Doxorubicin Toxicity via Autophagy Modulation and Energetics Restoration.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

The Cappuccino interactome reveals an intracellular role for Semaphorin-2a in <i>Drosophila</i> oogenesis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

The Influence of Drosophila Spire and Myosin V During Mid-Oogenesis Is Independent of Their Direct Interaction.

Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.)·2025
Same author

Nascent dendrite branches initiated by a localized burst of Spire-dependent actin polymerization.

Development (Cambridge, England)·2025
Same author

Human formin FHOD3-mediated actin elongation is required for sarcomere integrity in cardiomyocytes.

eLife·2025
Same author

Human formin FHOD3-mediated actin elongation is required for sarcomere integrity in cardiomyocytes.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same journal

Increased rates of hybridization in swordtails are associated with water pollution.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Visual uncertainty and task demands shape active sensing strategies in mice.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

An adaptable, self-organizing, single-cell morphology circuit optimizes suctorian predatory trap structure.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Temporal tuning of switch-like virulence expression resolves environmental uncertainty through phenotypic heterogeneity.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

An abstract relational map emerges in the human medial prefrontal cortex with consolidation.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Phloem evolved gradually and asynchronously to xylem in early vascular plants.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
08:02

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

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.9K

Formins.

Dylan A Valencia1, Margot E Quinlan2

  • 1BMSB Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|May 25, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Formins are key actin nucleators that build linear actin filaments. This review focuses on the formin family, exploring their distinct mechanisms in organizing cellular actin structures.

More Related Videos

A Protocol for Using F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-force Biosensors to Measure Mechanical Forces across the Nuclear LINC Complex
09:43

A Protocol for Using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-force Biosensors to Measure Mechanical Forces across the Nuclear LINC Complex

Published on: April 11, 2017

10.9K
Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins
08:40

Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Published on: October 28, 2022

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
08:02

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

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.9K
A Protocol for Using F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-force Biosensors to Measure Mechanical Forces across the Nuclear LINC Complex
09:43

A Protocol for Using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-force Biosensors to Measure Mechanical Forces across the Nuclear LINC Complex

Published on: April 11, 2017

10.9K
Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins
08:40

Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Published on: October 28, 2022

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Actin, a highly abundant eukaryotic protein, is crucial for cellular functions like motility and muscle contraction.
  • Actin's dynamic nature and interaction with numerous actin-binding proteins allow for diverse cellular roles.
  • Actin nucleators, including the Arp2/3 complex, formins, and tandem WH2 nucleators, initiate new actin filament formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a focused review on the formin family of actin nucleators.
  • To elucidate the distinct mechanisms by which formins contribute to actin organization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on actin nucleators.
  • Comparative analysis of nucleation mechanisms of different actin nucleator classes.

Main Results:

  • Formins are a major class of actin nucleators.
  • Formins generate linear actin filaments by remaining bound to the growing filament end.
  • Distinct mechanisms of actin nucleation by Arp2/3 complex (branched filaments) and formins (linear filaments) are highlighted.

Conclusions:

  • Formins play a critical role in constructing specific actin-based cellular structures.
  • Understanding formin nucleation mechanisms is essential for comprehending cellular organization and dynamics.