CYTOSKELETON

LECTURE-4
 CONTENTS
• Structure and types of cytoskeleton,
• specializations of apical cell surface- microvilli, stereocilia, cilia
• Types of intracellular contacts
CYTOSKELETON
 MICROFILAMENTS
(ACTIN FILAMENTS)
• Cytoplasmic filaments – responsible for contractility and
motility

• composed of actin and myosin subunits

• Actin occurs in 2 molecular forms

• 1. G- actin (globular)

• 2. F-actin (filamentous)

• FILAMIN- actin binding protein which forms stiff supportive

framework for plasmelemma
 M I C R O T U B U L E S

• Fine tubular structures

• also organized into larger, more stable –

AXONEMES

• the protein subunit of a micro- tubule is a

heterodimer of α and β tubulin,

• Contains protein- TUBULIN ( occurs in alpha

& beta forms)

• Microtubule associated proteins(MAPS)-

slender, lateral filamentous projections of
microtubules

• 4 types-

• KINESIN, DYNEIN
 INTERMEDIATE
FILAMENTS

• Confer increased mechanical

stability to cell structure

• Made up of different proteins

subunits in different cell types

• KERATIN FILAMENTS-present in
epithelial cells

• VIMENTIN- occur in fibroblasts

• DESMIN- found in skeletan,

cardiac and smooth muscles
 S P E C I A L I Z AT I O N O F
A P I C A L C E L L S U R FA C E
MICROVILLI
• 1. Shorter and narrower than cila

• 2. Increase the surface area of

cell

• 3. Increase absorption

• formed by MICROFILAMENTS
held by cross linking of proteins

2. BUNDLING PROTEINS- fimbrin,

villin and epsin.
 STEREOCILIA

• Arise from apical cell protrusions

having thick stem portions that are
interconnected by cytoplasmic
bridges.

• Actin filaments are within the core

of the stereo cilium

• Actin associated proteins- fibrin

and spin in the elongated portion
and alpha actin in the terminal
web.
STEREOCILIA OF THE EAR
 CILIA

• 1. Help in motility.

• 2. Short and numerous protrusions from the cell surface

• 3. Made of microtubules

• Types- primary, motile & nodal cilia

• 4. STRUCTURE

• 9+2 arrangement of microtubules( 9 fused and 2 unfused pairs)

• Protein- DYNEIN is responsible for generating force required for

movement
STRUCTURE OF MOTILE CILIA
CENTROSOME
AND
CENTRIOLE
 TYPES OF
INTRACELLULAR
C O N TA C T S

• Adherens junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes

• Gap junctions (communicating junction)
• Tight junctions (occluding junctions)
 JUNCTIONAL COMPLEXES
• 1.Intercellular attachment
structure.
• 2. Found around apical
membrane of an epithelial cell
• 3. Types:
• a. Zonula Occludens (tight junctions)

• b. Zonula Adherens

• c. Macula Adherens
ZONULA
OCCLUDENS
• 1. Tight junction-forms a zone around the perimeter
of each cell.

• 2. Materials must cross the cell membrane and

can't pass through intercellular spaces

• 3. Occur between simple epithelial cells forming

endothelium or mesothelium

• 4. composition- Proteins

• Occludins

• Claudins

• Junctional adhesion molecules

ZONULA ADHERENS/
ADHERENS JUNCTION

• 1. Forms an adhering belt that surrounds the apex of an epithelial cell.

• 2. Provide strong mechanical attachments between adjacent cells through

cytoskeleton

• 3. COMPOSITION

• Actin microfilaments of cytoskeleton

• Anchor proteins- alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin (aka

plakoglobin), vinculin, and alpha-actinin ( link actin microfilaments to
cadherins)

• Cadherins- E- cadherin
DESMOSOMES
OR
MACULA
ADHERENS
HEMIDESMOSOMES
 • 1. Directly connects the cytoplasm of two cells.

• 2. Made up of 2 half channels( connexon) which join together and bridge the
GAP JUNCTION/ extracellular space.

MACULA • 3. Each connexon is made up of six symmetrical integral membrane protein units
called connexins.
COMMUNICANS • 4. LOCATION

• Epithelia, which are the coverings of body surfaces, as well as nerves, cardiac (heart)
muscle, and smooth muscle (such as that of the intestines).
 REFERENCES
• 1. 2015 Junqueira's Basic Histology Text and Atlas, 15th Edition,CYTOSKELETON
• PG 42-47
• 2. specializations of apical cell surface- microvilli, stereocilia, cilia,
• 3. Types of intracellular contacts
• Page 73- 80