Actin filament polymerization: molecular targets
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Explore our range of products to study the actin assembly process.
The dynamic nature of actin polymerization and disassembly is central to functions such as cell adhesion and migration. For this reason, molecular mechanisms of actin reorganization are under investigation for therapeutics targeting cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
We have highlighted some key actin nucleators, regulatory proteins, and toxins that can help you study the actin polymerization process at different stages.
Nucleation factors
Target protein | Function | Marker | Inhibitor |
Formin | Nucleation and elongation factors that promote linear actin filaments | ||
ARP 2/3 complex | Mimics actin trimer and acts as a nucleation site to form branched actin filaments (see Figure 1) | ||
WASp | Regulator of the Arp2/3 complex | ||
Spires | Organizes up actin monomers into a prenucleation scaffold for polymerization |
Regulatory co-factors
Target protein | Function | Marker | Protein/peptide |
Thymosin β4 | G-actin-sequestering protein which allows filament polymerization | ||
Profilin | Facilitates the formation of ATP-actin monomers, which are then available for polymerization | Recombinant Human Profilin 1 protein | |
Cofilin | Increases dissociation of actin monomers from filaments causing depolymerization |
Toxin name | Function | Small molecule |
Phalloidin | Binds tightly to actin filaments and prevents their dissociation (depolymerization inhibitor) | |
Latrunculin | Binds to actin monomers to inhibit polymerization - promotes filament disassembly | |
Cytochalasin | Binds to the plus ends of actin filaments and prevent filament assembly and disassembly | Cytochalasin A, Cytochalasin B, |
Jasplakinolide | Stabilizes actin monomers and induces actin polymerization | |
Chaetoglobosin A | Inhibits actin polymerization |
Actin visualization tools
Target protein | Tool |
Alpha actin | |
Beta-actin | |
F- actin |
Figure 1. CytoPainter F-actin Staining Kit - Blue Fluorescence (ab112124). F-actin was stained with CytoPainter blue in mouse embryonic stem cell-differentiated embryoid bodies using ICC/IF. Image courtesy of Dr. Shaohua Li, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.