Actin Treadmilling: Understanding Direction and Recruitment

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In summary, actin treadmilling is a process where actin filaments continuously grow at one end while shrinking at the other end, allowing for various cellular functions such as movement and shape maintenance. The direction of treadmilling is determined by the relative rates of polymerization and depolymerization at each end of the filament, with the plus end being the direction of treadmilling. Actin-binding proteins play a crucial role in regulating treadmilling by stabilizing or destabilizing filaments and promoting the recruitment of actin monomers. Actin treadmilling is involved in cell motility by enabling the formation of actin-rich structures. Several factors, including the concentration of actin monomers and the presence of regulatory proteins,
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zmike
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My textbook says that actin grows from the + end BUT
shows a diagram where it's associating and dissocating AT BOTH ends and says that how treadmilling works. help?

Does an actin-ATP recruit more actin? or does it just bind more strongly to ADP actin?

How do you determine the direction of direction of treadmilling?

thanks
 
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1. What is actin treadmilling?

Actin treadmilling is a process where actin filaments polymerize (grow) at one end while depolymerizing (shrinking) at the other end, resulting in a continuous flow of actin subunits within the filament. This process is essential for various cellular functions, such as cell movement, division, and shape maintenance.

2. How is the direction of actin treadmilling determined?

The direction of actin treadmilling is determined by the relative rates of polymerization and depolymerization at each end of the actin filament. The end with higher polymerization rate is called the "plus end" and the end with higher depolymerization rate is called the "minus end". The direction of treadmilling is towards the plus end.

3. What is the role of actin-binding proteins in treadmilling?

Actin-binding proteins (ABPs) play a crucial role in regulating actin treadmilling. They can either stabilize or destabilize actin filaments, affecting their polymerization and depolymerization rates. ABPs can also promote the recruitment of actin monomers to the filament, thus aiding in treadmilling.

4. How is actin treadmilling involved in cell motility?

Actin treadmilling is a key process in cell motility, as it enables the formation of actin-rich structures such as lamellipodia and filopodia. These structures are essential for the movement of cells, as they provide the necessary force and structure for cell migration.

5. What factors can influence actin treadmilling?

Several factors can influence actin treadmilling, including the concentration of actin monomers, the presence of ABPs, and the activity of other regulatory proteins. Changes in cellular conditions, such as pH and temperature, can also affect the rates of polymerization and depolymerization, thus altering the direction and speed of treadmilling.

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