Lecture 3 Acetylated Tubulin Size and Localization

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that helps maintain cell shape and is involved in cell movement and division.

Microfilaments

Thin, thread-like proteins made of actin that support cellular structures and are involved in cell movement. Visualization often depicted in blue.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes composed of tubulin dimers that provide structural support and transport pathways within cells. Often illustrated in green

Intermediate filaments

Protein fibers that provide mechanical support for the cell and maintain its shape; they are made from various proteins. Found predominantly near nucleus and spreading through cytoplasm, offering strength and structural stability.

Actin

A globular protein that forms microfilaments and is essential for muscle contraction and cell movement.

Myosin

A motor protein that interacts with actin to cause muscle contraction and cellular movement.

Motor proteins

Proteins that move along cytoskeletal filaments to transport cargo within the cell.

Dynamic instability

The rapid switching between growth and shrinkage of microtubules.

Kinesin

A motor protein that moves cargo toward the plus end of microtubules.

Dynein

A motor protein that moves cargo toward the minus end of microtubules.

MTOC (Microtubule Organizing Center)

A structure that organizes the microtubules of the cytoskeleton.

GTP

A nucleotide similar to ATP that is used in energy transfer for microtubule assembly.

Polarity

The structural orientation of cytoskeletal components, with distinct plus and minus ends.

Cell polarity

The spatial differences in the shape, structure, and function of cells.

Western blotting

A laboratory technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample.

SDS-PAGE

A method for separating proteins based on their size using an electric field.

Acetylation

The addition of acetyl groups to proteins, which can affect their stability and function.

Spectroscopy

A technique used to measure the interaction of light with matter, often used to determine protein concentration.

green fluorescent protein

used to visualize actin filaments

hoechst stain

specifically highlights cell nuclei

texas red

used for tubulin detection

actin filaments

specifically extert pressure on plasma membrane, assisting in the formation of microvilli, particularly in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby enhancing nutrient absorption

centrioles

serves as MTOC, orchestrating the assembly and disassembly of microtubules essential for processes like cell division and maintaining cellular architecture

antergrade

kinesin facilitates ___ transport (movement towards plus end), carrying cellular cargo such as organelles and protein complexes necessary fro cell function

anterograde

dynein drives ____ transport (movement toward the minus end), crucial for returning cellular components to the cell body in neurons

lysine 40; alpha tubulin

this experiment focuses on investigating the addition of acetyl groups to ___ of ___, theorizing that this modification stabilizes microtubules and alters their dynamics