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Microfilament functions include cytokinesis, amoeboid movement, cell motility, changes in cell shape, endocytosis and exocytosis, cell contractility, and mechanical stability. Microfilaments are flexible and relatively strong, resisting buckling by multi-piconewton compressive forces and filament fracture by nanonewton tensile forces.
Microfilament Polymerization. Microfilament polymerization is divided into three steps. The nucleation step is the first step, and it is the rate limiting and slowest step of the process. Elongation is the next step in this process, and it is the rapid addition of actin monomers at both the plus and minus end of the microfilament.
It is composed of three main components: microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, and these are all capable of rapid growth and or disassembly depending on the cell's requirements. [3] A multitude of functions can be performed by the cytoskeleton.
Actin is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments in the cytoskeleton, and the thin filaments in muscle fibrils.It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at a concentration of over 100 μM; its mass is roughly 42 kDa, with a diameter of 4 to 7 nm.
Microtubules function as tracks in the intracellular transport of membrane-bound vesicles and organelles. This process is propelled by motor proteins such as dynein . Motor proteins connect the transport vesicles to microtubules and actin filaments to facilitate intracellular movement. [ 1 ]
A microfibril is a very fine fibril, or fiber-like strand, consisting of glycoproteins and cellulose.It is usually, but not always, used as a general term in describing the structure of protein fiber, e.g. hair and sperm tail.
Profilin is an actin-binding protein involved in the dynamic turnover and reconstruction of the actin cytoskeleton. [1] It is found in most eukaryotic organisms. Profilin is important for spatially and temporally controlled growth of actin microfilaments, which is an essential process in cellular locomotion and cell shape changes.
The functions of pseudopodia include locomotion and ingestion: Pseudopodia are critical in sensing targets which can then be engulfed; the engulfing pseudopodia are called phagocytosis pseudopodia. A common example of this type of amoeboid cell is the macrophage. They are also essential to amoeboid-like locomotion.