Charge-dependent interactions of monomeric and filamentous actin with lipid bilayers.

ABSTRACT: The cytoskeletal protein actin polymerizes into filaments that are essential for the mechanical stability of mammalian cells. In vitro experiments showed that direct interactions between actin filaments and lipid bilayers are possible and that the net charge of the bilayer as well as the presence of divalent ions in the buffer play an important role. In vivo, colocalization of actin filaments and divalent ions are suppressed, and cells rely on linker proteins to connect the plasma membrane to the actin network. Little is known, however, about why this is the case and what microscopic interactions are important. A deeper understanding is highly beneficial, first, to obtain understanding in the biological design of cells and, second, as a possible basis for the building of artificial cortice

SUBMITTER: Schroer CFE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7084070 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature