ACTINS Meaning and
Definition
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Actins are a group of proteins commonly found in eukaryotic cells, playing a fundamental role in cell structure, movement, and contraction. They are considered one of the most abundant proteins in higher organisms. Actins are highly conserved and exist in multiple isoforms, each with distinct functions and tissue distributions.
Actins are filamentous proteins that form long chains, essentially creating a scaffold within cells. These chains, known as microfilaments, are made up of globular subunits called G-actin. G-actin monomers polymerize and assemble into F-actin filaments, forming a network that provides mechanical support to the cell. This network maintains cell shape, facilitates cell migration, and enables intracellular transport.
One of the key functions of actins is muscle contraction. Actin and myosin, another protein, work together to produce a sliding mechanism that shortens muscle cells, generating force and movement. Actins are also involved in cell division, as they play a vital role in cytokinesis, the process by which a single cell divides into two.
Actins are regulated by various proteins that control their assembly, disassembly, and organization. These proteins ensure that actin filaments are precisely localized and dynamically modulated to fulfill specific cellular functions.
In summary, actins are a family of proteins critical for maintaining the structural integrity of cells, facilitating cell movement, and powering muscle contraction. Their diverse roles underline their importance in various biological processes, making them essential to cellular life.
Common Misspellings for ACTINS
- zctins
- sctins
- wctins
- qctins
- axtins
- avtins
- aftins
- adtins
- acrins
- acfins
- acgins
- acyins
- ac6ins
- ac5ins
- actuns
- actjns
- actkns
- act9ns
- act8ns
- actibs
Etymology of ACTINS
The word "actins" comes from the noun "actin", which has its origin in the Greek word "aktis" (ἀκτίς), meaning "ray" or "beam". The term was first coined by the German biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1942 to describe a group of globular proteins found in muscle tissues. The name "actin" was chosen because these proteins were observed to have a similar arrangement to rays emanating from a central point, resembling a structure of beams or rays. Since then, "actin" has been extensively studied and categorized into different subtypes known as actin isoforms, which play vital roles in cellular functions such as muscle contraction, cell movement, and maintaining cell shape. The plural form "actins" refers to multiple actin molecules or types present in an organism.
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