Actin is a highly abundant protein that controls the shape and movement of all our cells. Actin achieves this by assembling into filaments, one actin molecule at a time. The proteins of the formin ...

They provide experimental evidence supporting the “proof of principle” that the flexible and specific helical twists of actin filaments regulate the functions of actin binding proteins.

Actin is found in all living cells where it has a range of important functions – from muscle contraction to cell signaling and cell shape.

In turn, the cytoskeleton relies on a type of actin protein, called filamentous or F-actin. It forms networks of thin, flexible filaments that affect the shape, stiffness, and movement of cells.

Researchers at Kanazawa University report in eLife on deciphering the actin structure-dependent preferential cooperative binding of cofilin.