Microfilamentous structures in non-muscle cells

39 Microfilamentous structures in non-muscle cells





Questions



image What roles may actomyosin structures have in non-muscle cells?

image What are the differences in structure and function of cilia and flagella?

image What may be the physiological consequences of immotile cilia syndrome?


Actomyosin structures


In addition to muscle tissues, microfilamentous actomyosin structures are also found in non-muscle cells where contractile properties are required. For example, actomyosin contributes to intracellular stress fibres, to the flattening of attached cells in cell culture and in cellular locomotion (Ch. 40). Actomyosin structures are also important during telophase in the cell cycle to form the contractile ring that begins cell division (Ch. 44).


Unlike striated muscle, the contractile apparatus in non-muscle cells is constantly dissociating and reforming depending on the state of stimulation of the cell. In the inactive, dephosphorylated form, the myosin molecule takes up an independent globular form. On phosphorylation of the myosin light chain by myosin light chain kinase, the myosin molecule extends to its rod-like form, releasing the tail domain to form bipolar thick filaments and the head domain to form cross-bridges with thin filament actin.



Microvilli

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Jun 18, 2016 | Posted by in BIOCHEMISTRY | Comments Off on Microfilamentous structures in non-muscle cells

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