Microfilament-associated Proteins
About Microfilament-associated Proteins
Microfilament-associated proteins are a diverse group of proteins that play important roles in regulating the structure and function of microfilaments, also known as actin filaments. Microfilaments are a type of cytoskeletal filament composed of actin monomers, which are the building blocks of the filaments. They are essential for a wide range of cellular processes, including cell movement, shape changes, and cell division.
Microfilament-associated proteins can be broadly classified into several categories based on their functions. One group of proteins, known as actin-binding proteins, directly bind to actin filaments and regulate their assembly, disassembly, and stability. These proteins include actin capping proteins, which cap the ends of actin filaments and prevent further polymerization or depolymerization, and actin severing proteins, which cut actin filaments into shorter fragments.
Another group of microfilament-associated proteins, known as actin cross-linking proteins, promotes the formation of higher-order structures by linking multiple actin filaments together. These proteins include actin-bundling proteins, which bundle actin filaments into parallel arrays, and actin filament branching proteins, which promote the formation of actin filament networks.
Some microfilament-associated proteins are also involved in regulating the localization and dynamics of actin filaments within the cell. These proteins include actin nucleation-promoting factors, which stimulate the nucleation of actin filaments, and actin depolymerization factors, which promote the disassembly of actin filaments. Additionally, some microfilament-associated proteins act as molecular motors, using the energy from ATP hydrolysis to move along actin filaments and generate force.
Overall, microfilament-associated proteins play critical roles in the organization and function of actin filaments, allowing cells to carry out a wide range of complex processes. By regulating the assembly, stability, and dynamics of actin filaments, these prote.ins ensure proper cell morphology, cell motility, cell division, and intracellular transport. Microfilament-associated proteins also contribute to the formation of specialized structures like microvilli, filopodia, and lamellipodia, which are involved in cell adhesion, migration, and signaling.
Biological Functions of Microfilament-associated Proteins
E-Cadherin (Epithelial Cadherin):
- E-Cadherin is a cell adhesion protein primarily found in epithelial tissues.
- It plays a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion, maintaining tissue integrity, and organizing epithelial cell layers.
- E-Cadherin is involved in cell polarity, tissue development, and the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Mutations or decreased expression of E-Cadherin are associated with various cancers and can contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis.
- Zyxin is a focal adhesion protein that localizes to the sites of cell-matrix adhesion.
- It functions as a scaffold protein, linking actin filaments to integrin receptors and signaling molecules.
- Zyxin is involved in cell migration, cytoskeletal organization, and the regulation of cell signaling pathways.
- It also plays a role in tissue development and repair.
Iba1 (Ionized Calcium-Binding Adapter Molecule 1):
- Iba1 is mainly expressed in microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system.
- It acts as a marker for activated microglia and is involved in neuroinflammation and immune responses in the brain.
- Iba1 plays a role in phagocytosis, cytokine production, and the regulation of microglial activation.
- Caldesmon is a cytoskeletal protein that regulates actin-myosin interactions.
- It is involved in smooth muscle contraction, where it inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity.
- Caldesmon also plays a role in regulating cell motility, cytoskeletal dynamics, and the organization of stress fibers.
CAPG (Gelsolin-like Actin-Capping Protein):
- CAPG is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin filament assembly and stability.
- It can cap the ends of actin filaments, inhibiting further polymerization.
- CAPG is involved in cell motility, cytoskeletal remodeling, and regulation of actin-based processes such as cell shape changes and cell migration.
COTL1 (Coactosin-like Protein 1):
- COTL1 is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin dynamics and organization.
- It can bind to actin filaments and modulate their stability and bundling.
- COTL1 is involved in cell migration, cytoskeletal remodeling, and the regulation of actin-dependent processes.
- DBNL is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin filament dynamics and organization.
- It is involved in cell adhesion, cell migration, and the formation of dendritic spines in neurons.
- DBNL also plays a role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity.
- FSCN2 is an actin-binding protein that promotes actin bundling and stabilization.
- It is involved in the formation of filopodia, which are slender finger-like protrusions on the cell surface.
- FSCN2 plays a role in cell migration, cell adhesion, and the organization of actin-based structures.
- Gelsolin is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin filament assembly and disassembly.
- It can sever and cap actin filaments, modulating their dynamics and stability.
- Gelsolin is involved in various cellular processes, including cell motility, cytoskeletal remodeling, and phagocytosis.
KATNA1 (Katanin p60 ATPase-containing subunit A1):
- KATNA1 is a microtubule-severing protein involved in microtubule organization and dynamics.
- It contributes to the regulation of microtubule length, organization of the mitotic spindle, and cellular processes such as cell division and intracellular transport.
MYBPC3 (Myosin Binding Protein C, Cardiac):
- MYBPC3 is primarily expressed in cardiac muscle cells and is involved in regulating cardiac muscle contraction.
- It interacts with myosin and actin filaments, modulating their interactions and regulating the contractile properties of cardiac muscle.
- Mutations in MYBPC3 are associated with inherited cardiac muscle disorders, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- PFN1 is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin filament dynamics and polymerization.
- It promotes actin monomer binding to facilitate actin filament growth and participates in actin-dependent processes, such as cell motility, and endoc I apologize, but I'm unable to provide additional information on TMSB4X.
Microfilament-associated Proteins
- TMSB4X binds to actin monomers, preventing their polymerization into actin filaments.
- It promotes actin filament bundling and crosslinking, contributing to the organization and stability of the actin cytoskeleton.
The Application Areas of Microfilament-associated Proteins
Microfilament-associated proteins have diverse application areas due to their crucial roles in cellular processes and actin filament regulation. Here are some application areas where microfilament-associated proteins are utilized:
Biomedical Research:
- Microfilament-associated proteins are extensively studied in biomedical research to understand their roles in cell migration, tissue development, and disease processes.
- They are used as markers to identify specific cell types, such as Iba1 for activated microglia in neuroinflammation studies.
- Their interactions with actin filaments are investigated to elucidate cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular processes.
Cancer Research:
- Dysregulation of microfilament-associated proteins is frequently associated with cancer progression and metastasis.
- Proteins like E-Cadherin, ZYX, CAPG, and DBNL are studied in cancer research to understand their involvement in tumor invasion, cell adhesion, and metastatic processes.
- Microfilament-associated proteins can serve as potential therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers in cancer treatments.
Drug Development:
- Microfilament-associated proteins are potential targets for the development of drugs that modulate actin dynamics.
- Actin-binding proteins, such as profilin and gelsolin, are investigated as targets for drug development in diseases involving dysregulated actin cytoskeleton, such as cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders.
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine:
- Microfilament-associated proteins play important roles in tissue development, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.
- They are studied in the context of tissue engineering to guide cell migration, tissue morphogenesis, and the organization of engineered tissues.
- Microfilament-associated proteins can be utilized to enhance cellular processes and optimize tissue regeneration strategies.
Cell Migration and Tissue Repair:
- Understanding the mechanisms of cell migration and tissue repair is crucial for various applications.
- Microfilament-associated proteins, including those involved in actin filament assembly, bundling, and stability, are of interest in studying and modulating cell migration in wound healing, tissue regeneration, and tissue engineering applications.
Neurobiology:
- Microfilament-associated proteins, such as Iba1 and DBNL, are studied in neurobiology to investigate neuroinflammatory processes and neuronal development.
- Actin-binding proteins are involved in the organization of neuronal structures, synaptic plasticity, and neurodevelopmental processes.
Biomaterials and Bioengineering:
- Microfilament-associated proteins can be utilized in the design and development of biomaterials and bioengineered systems.
- They can be incorporated into scaffolds or surface coatings to guide cell behavior, promote cell adhesion, and modulate cytoskeletal dynamics in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
These are just a few examples of the application areas of microfilament-associated proteins. Their diverse functions and roles in cellular processes make them valuable targets for research, drug development, and various biomedical and biotechnological applications.
Available Resources for Microfilament-associated Proteins
Creative BioMart is a foremost provider in the life sciences research sector, offering a wide array of products, custom services, and resources associated with microfilament-associated proteins. Our product selection includes recombinant proteins, cell and tissue lysates, protein pre-coupled magnetic beads, antibodies, and related items. Additionally, we provide tailored services and an extensive range of technical resources to fulfill the specific requirements of our customers. Below is a list of molecules related to microfilament-associated proteins, click on a molecule/target to view our extensive resources:
