Dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton

F1000Res. 2015 Oct 1:4:F1000 Faculty Rev-940. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.6374.1. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Cellular processes, including morphogenesis, polarization, and motility, rely on a variety of actin-based structures. Although the biochemical composition and filament organization of these structures are different, they often emerge from a common origin. This is possible because the actin structures are highly dynamic. Indeed, they assemble, grow, and disassemble in a time scale of a second to a minute. Therefore, the reorganization of a given actin structure can promote the formation of another. Here, we discuss such transitions and illustrate them with computer simulations.

Keywords: Actin; Cytoskeleton; Polarization.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.