Lecture 4

Question 1

What is actin?

Answer 1

Actin is one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells (found in ALL eukaryotes).
Accounts for ~15% of all of the protein in a normal eukaryotic cell.

Question 2

What are the four components of the cytoskeleton?

Answer 2

1) Actin filaments
2) Microtubules
3) Intermediate filments
4) Spectrin

Question 3

What are actin filaments involved in?

Answer 3

Generating/maintaining cell structure
Adhesion to substrates (glass, extracellular matrix) and to other cells
Cell division (cytokinetic ring)
Intracellular motility
Whole cell motility

Question 4

What is the function of actin?