Actin

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Actin
Actin is a major structural protein in the body. It's often said that actin is one of the components of a cell's skeleton. Since it is a protein, It's a molecule - and a whole different magnitude of size of the bones that make up the skeleton that gives structure to the whole body. Yet the analogy is accurate, actin largely makes up the structure of cells on a microscopic and ultra-microscopic level. Actin is also important in the movement of cells. Actin, along with another kind of protein (myosin) makes up the molecular structure of the units that allow muscle cells to contract. That fact is one of the basics that gets taught about actin in biology class, but important as the movement of muscle is, actin is a bigger player in the body than simply a molecule that enables muscle contraction. Actin is found in the cytoplasm of all (or almost all) human cells - and plays a role in many special functions besides the contraction of muscle. Genes codes for proteins, and abnormal genes code for abnormal proteins (at least, by and large). When actin is abnormal, it can cause a whole variety of illnesses and symptoms. There are several genetic diseases attributed to abnormal alleles for actin.

External Links


IMAGING TECHNOLOGY GROUP	Actual photographs of the "skeletons" of cells	http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/technology/atlas/structures/actin/
CELL MIGRATION CONSORTIUM	For Scientists: Known members of the Actin Family	http://cmckb.cellmigration.org/report.cgi?report=fam_overview&fam_acc=cf00000165