Actin Filament Barbed and Pointed Ends (IMAGE)

University of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center

Actin Filament Barbed and Pointed Ends

Caption

Thin, flexible protein strands called actin filaments act like bones for our cells and are critical for its movement. Supercomputer simulations have helped solve a decades-old mystery of how actin filaments polymerize, or chain together. Space-filling model from molecular dynamics simulation showing actin filament barbed end (blue) and pointed end (red).

Credit

Vilmos Zsolnay, University of Chicago.

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.