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Related Concept Videos

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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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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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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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 filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...
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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

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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.
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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

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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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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.
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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

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Actin-microtubule dynamic composite forms responsive active matter with memory.

Ondřej Kučera1, Jérémie Gaillard1, Christophe Guérin1

  • 1CytoMorpho Lab, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives/CNRS/Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38054 France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 25, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers created a stable yet adaptable artificial cytoskeletal network using actin filaments and microtubules. This active composite shows self-organization and structural memory, mimicking cellular behaviors.

Keywords:
active materialscytoskeletonstructural memory

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Active materials in vitro can self-organize like cellular cytoskeletons.
  • Existing artificial cytoskeletal networks lack both structural stability and adaptive plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a stable and plastic artificial cytoskeletal composite.
  • To investigate the self-organization of combined actin and microtubule networks.

Main Methods:

  • Combining self-assembling microtubules and actin filaments in a composite material.
  • Utilizing microtubule-motors to drive collective self-organization.
  • Analyzing the feedback loop between actin and microtubule organization.

Main Results:

  • Microtubules spatially organized actin filaments, which in turn guided microtubule alignment.
  • A feedback loop led to ordered alignment of both filament networks.
  • Actin filaments provided structural memory, with microtubules either writing or being guided by it.
  • The composite exhibited sensitivity to external stimuli, indicating autoregulatory potential.

Conclusions:

  • An artificial active actin-microtubule composite was successfully established.
  • This composite demonstrates both architectural stability and adaptive plasticity.
  • The system serves as a model for understanding self-organization in active matter.