What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the molecular properties of filamin proteins and elucidate their mechanisms of cross-linking actin filaments into networks and bundles.

June 1, 1985Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

The filamins: properties and functions

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Authors

RWRobert R. WeihingUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore

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Implication

Biophysical analysis demonstrates actin cross-linking and gelation dynamics by filamin dimers in vitro, suggesting concentration-dependent regulation of cellular cytoskeletal architecture.

Key Points

To characterize the molecular properties of filamin proteins and elucidate their mechanisms of cross-linking actin filaments into networks and bundles.
Evaluated in vitro macroscopic actin gelation and network formation using Flory's polymer network theory across varying protein concentrations and filament lengths.
Characterized filamin structural dimensions (160–190 nm flexible bivalent dimers composed of two 250 kDa subunits) and binding behavior at distinct molar ratios with actin.
Filamin mediates a sharp gelation transition that varies inversely with actin filament length, though measured critical gelation concentrations are 2- to 14-fold higher than Flory theory predictions.
Filamin cross-links actin into three-dimensional isotropic networks at low molar ratios (1:200 to 1:50) and transitions to assembling actin bundles at higher ratios exceeding 1:20.

Cite This Study

Robert R. Weihing (1985) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a87e8ccf455bdf6826c9533 https://doi.org/10.1139/o85-059

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Implication

Biophysical analysis demonstrates actin cross-linking and gelation dynamics by filamin dimers in vitro, suggesting concentration-dependent regulation of cellular cytoskeletal architecture.

The filamins: properties and functions

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The filamins: properties and functions

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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