Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

MCBG 3 > Cytoskeleton (Sept. 5-Denning) > Flashcards

Cytoskeleton (Sept. 5-Denning) Flashcards

1
Q

List the 3 types of main elements which compose the cytoskeleton

A

Actin
Microtubules
Intermediate Filaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is another name for Actin?

A

Microfilaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

List the main functions of actin (microfilaments)

A 
Cell Shape (surface area)
Cell adhesion
Polarization
Phagocytosis
Muscle contraction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Actin can also allow for cell migration. What are the functions it facilitates.

A

development
wound healing
metastasis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe 3 general features of the structure of actin when monomers assemble into protogilaments

A

Monomers bind head to tail for form Plus (+) and Minus (-) end of chain
Binding site for ATP/ADP in the center
Aggregate into 2 chains of protofilaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What happens when the ATP undergoes hydrolysis to ADP when actin filaments are coalesced together?

A

Gives rise to the instability of the actin filaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the “ant-trail” analogy?

A

If a cell needs to move or respond to a signal it can rapidly depolymerize the actin on one side and reassemble the actin filaments on another side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The kinetics of actin filament formation:
(A) is spontaneous
(B) involve a nucleation lag phase followed by a rapid elongation phase and steady-state phase (equilibrium phase)
(C) depends on the final critical concentration
(D) Relies on the number of free actin subunits available

A

A - nucleation lag phase
B - there is a significant energy barrier that is present in the nucleation phase that must be overcome. Actin monomers aggregate into oligomers and then rapidly polymerize.
C - steady state is the final concentration of dynamic actin filaments and does not affect kinetics
D - # of free actin subunits affects final crit. concentrations. # of Nuclei and their addition affects elongation speed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe actin nucleation

A

ARP - actin related protein complex - is activated by an “activating factor” - nucleates at minus end & binds pre-existing filaments at 70° angle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the purpose of CapZ?

A

End binding protein which prevents loss or growth of additional subunits. Creation of a stable protofilament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Cofilin and what does it bind?

A

Binds cofactors which are aged. Causes destabilization of filaments via hydrolysis of ATP -> ADP contained/bounded in protofilaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 2 forms of actin subunits

A

T and D form
T = soluble form
Polymers are a mixture of T and D configurations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the hydrolysis process competing against polymerization at the (+) and (-) end

A

+ end is faster growing end – hydrolysis lags behind

- end is slower growing end - hydrolysis catches up (tread-milling)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What allows the tree like formation/protrution of actin protofilaments in lamellipodia

A

Actin filaments are able to bind like a tree at 70 degrees to other actin filaments: it becomes a tree or gel of network of actin with plasma membrane covering.
Initiated by ARP 2/3 complex.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the 3 types of actin arrays found in a cell?

A

contractile bundle (alpha-actinin) - found in stress fibers
gel like network - cell cortex
Right parallel bundle (fimbrin) filopodia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Actin filaments can be crosslinked using these (4) proteins

A

Bundling proteins:
Fimbrin monomers - parallel association of protofilaments
a-actinin dimers - antiparallel association
Gel-forming proteins:
Spectrin tetramers
Filamin dimers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the differences between a contractile and parallel bundle?

A

Contractile -> actin & a-actinin (loose - allows myosin II to enter bundle)
Parallel -> actin & fimbrin (tight - prevents association of myosin II)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are microvilli linkers?

A

The tight parallel structural linking/association of actin protofilaments. Uses fimbrin and villin proteins

19
Q

Why are actin-targeted drugs unfavorable to be used?

How might bacteria use actin depolymerization in their favor?

A

Targeting actin to disrupt cell processes is too critical

20
Q

What is significant about the rho family of GTPases?

A

They can induce dramatic changes in the active cytoskeleton (microspikes, membrane ruffles, stress fibers)

21
Q

What are the effects of Phalloidin on actin filaments?

A

Phalloidin binds actin filaments.
Stabilizes synthesized filaments.
Promotes only active growth of filaments (increase rate of synthesis) - prevents disassembly (no degradation)

22
Q

Name a molecular motor for the actin family

A

Myosin

23
Q

Describe the structure of myosin as a motor protein of actin filaments

A

2 heavy chains + 2 light chains
Majority of myosins are plus end directed
Form bipolar thick filament
Center area of overlap
Coiled coiled tails – exposed myosin heads – many myosin chains can contact actin molecules

24
Q

True/False: Myosin spends most of its time in the attached state

A

False: Myosin spends only a small fraction of its time attached to actin

25
Q

What are the characterisitcs of myosin molecular mechanism of movement on actin

A

Myosin “Rowing” on Actin
High speed
Heads work independently

26
Q

Describe the involvement of ATP in the interaction between myosin motors and actin filaments

A

Rigor state – myosin head is touching actin without ATP
When ATP is added, the myosin detaches from actin, it is is hydrolyzed and myosin head moves forward one unit and bind to actin
Release of ADP from previous head induces the power stroke which moves actin filament.
Myosin head is again in rigor state awaiting ATP to bind again.

27
Q

What are functions of microtubules

A 
Positioning of organelles  (Golgi and ER)
Intracellular transport (mitotic spindles, vesicle movement)
Cell motility (flagella, cilia)
28
Q

Describe the general structure of microtubules

A

Alpha tubulin & Beta tubulin alternating subunits
Ring structure made up of 13 protofilaments
Plus end is dynamic end (addition and degradation)
Minus end is known as the MTOC (centrosome)

29
Q

Describe the dynamic instability and how it relates to microtubule assembly/disassembly

A

T form favors assembly
D form favors disassembly
Catastrophe - rapid degradation due to loss of GTP cap
Recovery - regain of GTP cap and regrowth

30
Q

Which subunit of the microtubule structure contains the GTP/GDP?

A

Beta form

31
Q

What are MAPS?

A

Microtubule associated Proteins

32
Q

What is the function of MAP2 and tau?

A

MAPs - responsible for filament cross linking, spacing, and stability, spacer arms determine subunit spacing

33
Q

What is an implication of microtubule targeted drugs?

A

These drugs tend to bind to microfilaments – interfere with dynamic instability- detrimental to the cell

34
Q

Name the 2 microtubule motor proteins

A

Kinesins and Dyneins

35
Q

Describe the movement of kinesins

A
  • move towards plus end (periphery)

- endoplasmic reticulum

36
Q

Describe the movement of dyneins

A
  • move towards negative end towards center
  • cytoplasmic (vesicle trafficking and golgi locomotion)
  • axonemal (cilia/flagella)
37
Q

Elaborate on the microtubule motor mechanism

A

High processivity - Allows for stable movement (not as fast, but allows cargo carrying a very long way)

  • Leading and trailing head
  • Binding of ATP to leading head allows trailing head (with ADP) to move forward.
  • Release of ADP locks and resets kinesin
  • Hydrolysis of ATP allows release of lagging head from microtubule
38
Q

T/F: Each kinesin head stays attached to the mT 50% of the time.

A

True

39
Q

Describe the movement of flagella

A

Even, wave-like motion (Protozoa and sperm)

40
Q

Describe the movement of cilia

A

Whip-like motion (respiratory epithelium)

41
Q

What is the general function of basal bodies

A

Anchoring cilia and flagella at cell surface

42
Q

What are the functions of intermediate filaments

A

1) Mechanical strength
2) Cell adhesion
3) Axon Diameter
4) Nuclear Lamina

43
Q

Describe the structure and assembly of intermediate filaments

A
  • High physical strength; maximize subunit interaction
  • Consist of eight (8) tetramers twisted into a rope like filament
  • Symmetrical & NOT polar
44
Q

T/F: Intermediate filaments can form cross-links?

A

True. C-terminal domains of the associated tetramers can bind neighboring filaments to form a strong tonofilament

MCBG 3 (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions