title: Cell responses regulated by early reorganization of actin cytoskeleton.
abstract: Microfilaments exist in a dynamic equilibrium between monomeric and polymerized actin and the ratio of monomers to polymeric forms is influenced by a variety of extracellular stimuli. The polymerization, depolymerization and redistribution of actin filaments are modulated by several actin-binding proteins, which are regulated by upstream signalling molecules. Actin cytoskeleton is involved in diverse cellular functions including migration, ion channels activity, secretion, apoptosis and cell survival. In this review we have outlined the role of actin dynamics in representative cell functions induced by the early response to extracellular stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, GR-71110, Heraklion-Voutes, Greece. epapak@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Papakonstanti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stournaras
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017209:Apoptosis; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008024:Ligands; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha