actin n : one of the proteins into which actomyosin can be split; can exist in either a globular or a fibrous form

English

Noun

1. A globular structural protein that polymerizes in a helical fashion to form an actin filament (or microfilament).

See also

• myosin

Anagrams

• antic

Actin is a globular, roughly 42-kDa protein found in all eukaryotic cells (except for nematode sperm) where it may be present at concentrations of over 100 μM. It is also one of the most highly-conserved proteins, differing by no more than 20% in species as diverse as algae and humans. It is the monomeric subunit of microfilaments, one of the three major components of the cytoskeleton, and of thin filaments, which are part of the contractile apparatus in muscle cells. Thus, actin participates in many important cellular functions, 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.

Formation of thin filament

Genetics

• ACTA1 - alpha actin 1
• ACTB - beta actin
• ACTG1 - gamma actin 1

References