Inroduction
Actin, Microtubule and Intermediate Filaments constitute the cytoskeleton. These robust structures confer stability, motility and other characteristics to the cell. These elaborate protein structures are composed of protein monomers thus giving them the ability of dynamics.
Actin filaments, also known as F-Actin is composed of Globular monomeric Actin protein(G-Actin). These monomers interact together via various non-covalent interactions to produce a filament which has a characteristic twist. Polymerization requires hydrolysation of monomer bound ATP to form an ADP.
Structure
G Actin
Globular Actin is monomeric form of actin. This protein is bounded with ATP.
F Actin
Filament Actin has a characteristic twist every 13 monomers.
Biological Filament Generation
ARP2/3 Complexes
ARP2/3 is structurally similar to actin. This complex lies on side of a preexisting actin and initiate actin filament formation specially in leading edge assists cell locomotion.
Formin Complexes