Important Features
of the Cytoskeleton
Fiber Type | Short Hand |
Subunit |
Shape | Size (nm) | Motor Molecules | Polarity? | |
Protein | Shape | ||||||
microtubules | MT | tubulin | globular | hollow | 25 | dynein
(+ --> -) |
yes |
kinesin
(- --> +) |
|||||||
microfilaments | MF | actin | globular | solid | 5-9 | myosin | yes |
intermediate
|
IF | >5 kinds ## | fiber | solid? ** |
8-12 | ---- | no |
Fiber |
|
Temporary Structures | Permanent
Structures |
Accessory Proteins | |||
Depolymerize | Stabilize | ||||||
MT | colchicine | taxol | spindle fibers | cilia,
flagella |
MAPs = microtubule associated proteins * | ||
MF | cytochalasins | phalloidin | cleavage
furrow |
muscle
(thin filaments) |
ABPs = actin binding proteins*
|