Dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

• Main Authors: Gaëlle Letort, Hajer Ennomani, Laurène Gressin, Manuel Théry, Laurent Blanchoin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2015-10-01
• Series: F1000Research
• Subjects: Cell Adhesion; Cell Signaling; Cytoskeleton; Macromolecular Chemistry; Protein Chemistry & Proteomics
• Online Access: http://f1000research.com/articles/4-940/v1

Cellular processes, including morphogenesis, polarization, and motility, rely on a variety of actin-based structures. Although the biochemical composition and filament organization of these structures are different, they often emerge from a common origin. This is possible because the actin structures are highly dynamic. Indeed, they assemble, grow, and disassemble in a time scale of a second to a minute. Therefore, the reorganization of a given actin structure can promote the formation of another. Here, we discuss such transitions and illustrate them with computer simulations.