title: Staying in shape with formins.
abstract: Formins constitute a diverse protein family present in all eukaryotes examined. They are defined by the presence of a formin homology 2 (FH2) domain, which possesses intrinsic and conserved functions regulating cytoskeletal dynamics. Over the past few years, formins have become recognized as potent nucleators of linear actin filaments that control a large variety of cellular and morphogenetic functions. Here, we review the molecular principles of formin-induced cytoskeletal rearrangements and their consequences for a growing number of biological processes.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, 30623 Hannover, Germany. faix@bpc.mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faix
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grosse
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003285:Contractile Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D003285:Contractile Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins