CYTOSKELETON

GROUP MEMBERS
- RADHIKA SHIRISH KANJIKAR
- RAJWARDHAN NANDKUMAR RATHOD
- RAJVI RAJESH PACHPOHAR
- RAM PRAKASH
- ROHAN JITENDRA VISHWAKARMA
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 04 07
INTRODUCTION FUNCTION Diseases and Disorders

02 05
HISTORY ISOLATION

03 06
STRUCTURE APPLICATION
 01
INTRODUCTION
Cytoskeleton: The Dynamic Network of Life
The Role of the
Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a remarkable feature
of living cells. It is a complex network of
protein filaments and tubules that
extends throughout the cytoplasm and
provides structural support, shape,
movement, and organization to the cell
and its organelles.
 MAIN TYPES
The cytoskeleton is composed of three
main types of filaments: microfilaments,
intermediate filaments, and microtubules,
each with distinct properties and
functions.
Cytoskeleton
Dynamics
The cytoskeleton is not a static
structure, but rather a dynamic and
adaptable system that responds to
various stimuli and changes in the
cellular environment.
A Key Player in Cellular Functions,
Applications, and Diseases
The cytoskeleton plays a vital role in many cellular processes, such as cell division,
cell signaling, cell motility, intracellular transport, and cell differentiation. The
cytoskeleton also has important applications in research and industry, such as in
drug delivery, tissue engineering, and nanotechnology. Furthermore, the
cytoskeleton is involved in many diseases and disorders, such as cancer,
neurodegeneration, muscular dystrophy, and infections.
02
HISTORY
Discovery of Cytoskeleton:
● 1835: Robert Brown reported the presence of a “granular substance” in plant cell sap, later identified as part of the
cytoskeleton.
● 1931: E. Porter, K.R. Porter and A. Claude described fibrillar structures in animal cell cytoplasm using electron microscopy.

Microtubules:
● 1956: Richard B. Goldschmidt and Stanley M. Crissman observed microtubules in the mitotic spindle of animal cells.
● 1963: Evelyn Witkin and collaborators isolated and characterized tubulin, the protein building block of microtubules.

Actin Filaments:
● 1942: Marianne Simson demonstrated the existence of actin filaments in muscle cells.
● 1952: Albert Szent-Györgyi identified and named the protein actin, a crucial component of actin filaments.

Intermediate Filaments:
● 1952: F. Macnab and J. Kendrew identified the first intermediate filament protein, keratin.
● 1976: Several researchers contributed to the identification of other intermediate filament proteins, such as vimentin and
neurofilaments.
● 1978: R.D. Goldman and colleagues coined the term "intermediate filament".
Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility:
● 1978: Microtubules were linked to the movement of cilia and flagella.
● Actin filaments: cell crawling (amoeboid movement) and muscle contraction.

Nobel Prize Recognitions:

● 1993: Richard J. Roberts and Phillip A. Sharp received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of split
genes and mRNA splicing, revealing insights into cytoskeletal regulation.
03
STRUCTURE,
STRUCTURAL
FEATURES AND
RELATED DETAILS
Cytoskeleton Structure:

Microfilaments (Actin Filaments):

● Composed of actin proteins, microfilaments

are thin, flexible structures.
● Actin monomers polymerize to form long,
helical filaments, creating a dynamic and
adaptable network.
● Microfilaments are involved in cell movement,
cytokinesis, and maintenance of cell shape.
Microtubules:

● Microtubules are tubular structures formed by

the polymerization of tubulin protein subunits.
● They radiate from a microtubule-organizing
center (MTOC), typically the centrosome.
● Microtubules play crucial roles in intracellular
transport, cell division, and maintaining cell
shape.
Intermediate element:

● Comprising various proteins such as keratins,

vimentins, and lamins, intermediate filaments
exhibit diverse structures.
● Intermediate filaments provide mechanical
strength to cells and are essential for
maintaining tissue integrity.
● Unlike microfilaments and microtubules,
intermediate filaments do not exhibit dynamic
instability.
Structural Features of Cytoskeleton Components:

1. Dynamic Instability:
○ Microfilaments and microtubules both undergo dynamic instability, characterized by rapid polymerization and
depolymerization.
○ This dynamic behavior allows cells to quickly reorganize their cytoskeleton in response to changes in the
cellular environment.
2. Motor Proteins:
○ Motor proteins, such as myosins and kinesins, interact with cytoskeletal filaments to facilitate intracellular
transport.
○ Myosins move along actin filaments, contributing to processes like muscle contraction, while kinesins transport
cargo along microtubules.
3. Crosslinking Proteins:
○ Crosslinking proteins like spectrin and dystrophin stabilize the cytoskeleton by connecting adjacent filaments.
○ These proteins contribute to the overall mechanical strength and resilience of the cellular cytoskeleton.
4. Cellular Junctions:
○ Intermediate filaments play a crucial role in forming desmosomes, cell-cell adhesion structures that anchor cells
together.
○ This involvement in cellular junctions highlights the diverse functions of the cytoskeleton beyond structural
support.
 04
FUNCTIONS
Functions of the Cytoskeleton:

1. Cell Shape and Structural Support:

○ The cytoskeleton provides structural integrity, determining the shape of the cell and supporting its overall
architecture.
○ Microfilaments and microtubules, in particular, contribute to the maintenance of cell shape.
2. Intracellular Transport:
○ Microtubules serve as tracks for motor proteins (kinesins and dyneins), facilitating the transport of organelles,
vesicles, and other cellular components within the cell.
3. Cell Division:
○ The cytoskeleton is crucial for orchestrating cell division. Microtubules form the mitotic spindle, ensuring the
accurate separation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis.
4. Cell Motility:
○ Microfilaments and microtubules enable cell movement, influencing processes like cell crawling, muscle
contraction, and the beating of cilia and flagella.
5. Cellular Junctions:
○ Intermediate filaments contribute to the formation of cellular junctions, such as desmosomes, which anchor
cells together and provide structural stability to tissues.
05
ISOLATION
Method of Isolation of Cytoskeleton:

1. Cell Fractionation:
○ Cytoskeleton isolation often involves cell fractionation techniques, where cells are broken down, and different
cellular components are separated based on their size and density.
2. Centrifugation:
○ Centrifugation is commonly employed to isolate cytoskeletal components. It helps separate microfilaments,
microtubules, and intermediate filaments based on their sedimentation rates.
3. Biochemical Extraction:
○ Chemical agents like Triton X-100 or non-ionic detergents are used to selectively solubilize cellular membranes,
leaving the cytoskeletal components intact.
 06
APPLICATION
Applications in Research and Industry:

1. Cell Biology Research:

○ Cytoskeleton studies are fundamental to cell biology research, providing insights into cell structure, motility, and
division.
○ It helps understand the molecular mechanisms underlying various cellular processes.
2. Drug Discovery:
○ The cytoskeleton is a target for drug development, particularly in cancer research where drugs targeting
microtubules (e.g., taxanes) are used in chemotherapy.
3. Biotechnology:
○ Cytoskeletal proteins are utilized in biotechnological applications, including the production of biomaterials and the
development of cell-based assays for drug screening.
07
DISEASES AND
DISORDERS
Diseases and Disorders Related to the Cytoskeleton:

1. Muscular Dystrophies:
○ Mutations in cytoskeletal proteins, such as dystrophin, lead to muscular dystrophies, characterized by muscle
weakness and degeneration.
2. Neurodegenerative Diseases:
○ Abnormalities in microtubule-associated proteins are implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's disease.
3. Cancer:
○ Dysregulation of the cytoskeleton is observed in cancer cells, contributing to uncontrolled cell division and
metastasis.
4. Epidermolysis Bullosa:
○ Mutations in keratin genes, affecting intermediate filaments, result in skin fragility and blistering in conditions like
epidermolysis bullosa.
THANK YOU