Table 8-3Some Microfilament-Associated Proteins in the Nervous System

ProteinActivityCellular location
ActinCore subunit of MFsThroughout neurons and glia, enriched in growth cones and in membrane cytoskeleton
TropomyosinStabilize MFsCodistributed with most MFs
Spectrin/fodrinCross-link MFs in membrane cytoskeletonEnriched in membrane cytoskeleton
AnkyrinLinks MF/spectrin to membrane proteinsMembrane cytoskeleton, distinct forms in axon, dendrite and nodes of Ranvier
FimbrinMF bundling and cross-linkingGrowing neurites
GelsolinFragments MFs and nucleates assembly, regulated by Ca2+Growing neurites, glia, mature neurons
β-ThymosinsBinds actin monomers and regulates MF assemblyGrowing neurites
ProfilinBinds actin monomers, inhibits MF formation, regulated by selected signal-transduction pathwaysGrowing neurites, glia, mature neurons

MF, microfilament.

From: Molecular Components of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton

Cover of Basic Neurochemistry
Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects. 6th edition.
Siegel GJ, Agranoff BW, Albers RW, et al., editors.
Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1999.
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Neurochemistry.

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