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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Actin01:26

Introduction to Actin

5.1K
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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Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

3.0K
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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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.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
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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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Cell Motility through Blebbing01:16

Cell Motility through Blebbing

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Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
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Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

17.2K
The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Reconstitution of Membrane-Tethered Minimal Actin Cortices on Supported Lipid Bilayers
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Reconstitution of Membrane-Tethered Minimal Actin Cortices on Supported Lipid Bilayers

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The third dimension of the actin cortex.

Anumita Jawahar1, Joseph Vermeil1, Julien Heuvingh2

  • 1Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut Curie and Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|June 21, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The actin cortex is a dynamic, three-dimensional structure, not just a 2D layer. Specialized actin-rich components like filopodia are integral parts of this 3D architecture.

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Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence TIRF Microscopy
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Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Reconstitution of Membrane-Tethered Minimal Actin Cortices on Supported Lipid Bilayers
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Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence TIRF Microscopy
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The actin cortex is traditionally viewed as a 2D layer of actin filaments under the plasma membrane.
  • Recent research suggests a more complex, dynamic, and 3D nature of the actin cortex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the components contributing to the 3D architecture of the actin cortex.
  • To propose a broadened definition of the actin cortex that includes its 3D aspects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of actin cortex research.
  • Analysis of structural and dynamic properties of actin-rich cellular components.

Main Results:

  • The actin cortex is a composite material with significant three-dimensional organization.
  • Actin-rich structures like filopodia and stress fibers are integral components of the 3D actin cortex.

Conclusions:

  • The definition of the actin cortex should evolve beyond a simple 2D layer.
  • Recognizing the 3D nature of the actin cortex provides a more accurate understanding of cell structure and function.