The Cytoskeleton

Cell Biology
1st Semester
A cell must arrange itself in three-dimensional
space and interact physically with its
surroundings.
 The cytoskeleton

• An intricate and interconnected system of

protein filaments that extends from the
nucleus to the plasma membrane.

• Found exclusively in eukaryotic cells.

 Roles of the cytoskeleton

- Provides a framework of mechanical support

to a cell, which allows it to maintain its shape.

- Allows the movement of cell organelles.

- Allows the movement of whole cells, eg

white blood cells and amoebae.
Components of the cytoskeleton found
in all eukaryotic cells

• Actin filaments (also known as

microfilaments)- 10 nm thick

• Intermediate filaments-7 nm thick

• Microtubules-25 nm thick
 Actin filaments (microfilaments)

• Two-stranded helical chains of actin monomers

form one microfilament of actin

25 nm
• Arranged as linear bundles or networks, eg cell
cortex beneath plasma membrane.
 Actin filaments (microfilaments)
• Actin, the most abundant cellular protein.
• Microfilaments' association with the protein myosin
is responsible for muscle contraction.
• Microfilaments can also carry out cellular
movements including- gliding,
-contraction,
-restructuring the cell
surface during cytokinesis.
Actin is phylogenetically very old and 89%
homology of yeast and mammalian actin was
detected.
• Budding yeast has one actin gene that has 89%
homology to actin of mammals (non-muscle).
• Homo sapiens has 6 actin genes coding α, β
and γ actin isoforms.
 Actin filaments (microfilaments)
Actin microfilaments have a (+) and (-) end.
When the free (globular) actin concentration is low,
actin is primarily added to the (+) end, and lost from
the (-) end.
However at high levels of g-actin, new monomers can
potentially add onto the filament from either end
 Intermediate filaments
• Rope-like fibres that are composed of fibrous proteins
from a large family.

• Involved in the maintenance of the shape of whole

cells or parts of cells, including the nuclear envelope.
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT PROTEINS (examples)
• Cytokeratins – epithelial cells (mechanical strenth)
• Proteins of neurofilaments - in neurons
• Nestin – neurons
Lamins are intermediate filaments that form a meshwork
called the nuclear lamina to reinforce the nuclear
envelope
Lamins A, B, C – under the nuclear envelope (shape of the
nucleus, chromosome positioning, gene expression…)
 Microtubules
­ Largest element of the cytoskeleton.

­ Hollow cylinders composed of monomers of tubulin

proteins.
25 nm
Microtubules are dynamic structures
Microtubules radiate from a specific cellular
location.

The microtubule-organising centre (MTOC).

Animal cells have a single well-defined MTOC:
the centrosome.

Nucleated
microtubules
A pair of centrioles
help to organise
and duplicate the
centrosome
Microtubules form spindle fibres
Spindle fibres form the mitotic spindle

Kinetochore microtubules
Spindle fibre shortening separates the
replicated chromosomes
The plant cell: centrosomes and
centrioles absent.
Microtubules are nucleated from single
gama-tubulin ring complexes (i) at the
plasma membrane, (ii) at the nuclear
membrane, and (iii) at fragmoplast.
Preprophase band Mitotic spindle
Fragmoplast
Microtubule-associated proteins
(MAPs):-
non-motor proteins: Tau protein…-
molecular motors
(motor proteins): kinesins,
dyneins
• Non-motor: MAP neurites and
dendrites polymeration of MTs
elongation of MTs Tau neurites Motor
proteins: kinesins → + dyneins →