Follow the monomer.
Capping proteins limit actin filament growth, but paradoxically increase actin-based cell motility. This has been attributed to funneling of actin monomers to the filament ends that remain uncapped. Using a reconstituted motility system, Akin and Mullins (2008) now demonstrate that filament capping increases Arp2/3-based nucleation and branching, rather than elevating the rate of filament elongation.
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. bear@email.unc.edu
James E
JE
Bear
D051344:Actin Capping Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
D051344:Actin Capping Proteins; D000199:Actins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins