Actin
Actin
Actin (/ˈæktɪn/ AK-tin) is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments. It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at concentrations of over 100 μM.
Etymology
The term "actin" comes from the Greek "aktis", meaning a beam or ray.
Function
Actin plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including muscle contraction, cell motility, cell division and cytokinesis, vesicle and organelle movement, cell signaling, and the establishment and maintenance of cell junctions and cell shape.
Types
There are three main types of actin: alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha actins are found in muscle tissues and are a major constituent of the contractile apparatus. Beta and gamma actins coexist in most cell types as components of the cytoskeleton, and as mediators of internal cell motility.
Related Terms
- Microfilament: A small rod-like structure, about 4-7 nanometers in diameter, present in numbers in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells.
- Cytoskeleton: A complex, dynamic network of interlinking protein filaments present in the cytoplasm of all cells, including bacteria and archaea.
- Cell motility: The ability of an organism or cell to move spontaneously and actively, consuming energy in the process.
- Muscle contraction: A process in which force is created by the shortening of muscle tissue.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Actin
- Wikipedia's article - Actin
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