Archaeal actins and the origin of a multi-functional cytoskeleton
Arthur Charles‐Orszag, Natalie A. Petek-Seoane, R. Dyche Mullins
Abstract
ABSTRACT Actin and actin-like proteins form filamentous polymers that carry out important cellular functions in all domains of life. In this review, we sketch a map of the function and regulation of actin-like proteins across bacteria, archaea, and eukarya, marking some of the terra incognita that remain in this landscape. We focus particular attention on archaea because mapping the structure and function of cytoskeletal systems across this domain promises to help us understand the evolutionary relationship between the (mostly) mono-functional actin-like filaments found in bacteria and the multi-functional actin cytoskeletons that characterize eukaryotic cells.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyActinCytoskeletonArchaeaCell biologyFunction (biology)Gene isoformActin cytoskeletonBacteriaComputational biologyGeneticsCellGeneProtist diversity and phylogenyGenomics and Phylogenetic StudiesBacterial Genetics and Biotechnology