Actin Binding Proteins and the Cytoskeleton (U00685)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : BIO-4-BIcytosk

To a large extent the shape of eukaryotic cells is determined by the actin cytosketelon. As a result dynamic changes in cell shape that are observed in living cells are effected by changes in the molecular structure of actin filaments. Mechanisms have been discovered at the molecular level by which certain proteins increase or decrease the rate of filament growth, by which others nucleate new filaments, and by which yet others sever old filaments to recirculate them into the monomer pool. The discovery of the Arp2/3 complex and its connections to cell signalling apparatus is now giving us a roadmap for the first time for how actin binding proteins work as a system to orchestrate shape changes of whole cells. This topic is driven by presentation of papers by students. The emphasis is on understanding data from the primary literature. We will build up principles at the start before progressing to the very recent literature. The topic will be assessed by examination, which will in part involve comprehension of primary data. Students who have previously studied SFP and MCB will have the necessary background: others who are interested and who are prepared to do background reading are encouraged.