Cell surface actin remodeling

Actin filament remodeling at cell surfaces is a fundamental aspect of cellular life. Except for minor sequence variations, actin proteins are structurally identical. They have similar self-association properties and ATPase activities that accommodate their assembly into polarized semi-flexible filaments. The filament polarity defines the direction myosin motors move on them (from the pointed end to the barbed end). The barbed end is both more thermodynamically favored for new addition of actin monomer and more kinetically dynamic (fast exchanging) i