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Profilin as a dual regulator of actin and microtubule dynamics
Author(s) -
PintoCosta Rita,
Sousa Mónica M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cytoskeleton
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1949-3592
pISSN - 1949-3584
DOI - 10.1002/cm.21586
Subject(s) - profilin , biology , microtubule , microbiology and biotechnology , actin remodeling , actin , cytoskeleton , mdia1 , actin cytoskeleton , formins , actin binding protein , microfilament , biochemistry , cell
Although originally identified as G‐actin sequestering proteins, profilins are emerging as critical regulators of actin dynamics, capable of interacting with multiple acting binding proteins, and being able to link membrane lipids to cytoskeleton components. Recently, in addition to its actin, poly‐proline, and phosphatidylinositol binding domains, profilin has been shown to contain residues specialized in microtubule binding. Here we will discuss in a critical perspective the emerging body of data supporting that profilins are central mediators of actin microfilament and microtubule interaction. We will also address the unanswered questions in the field, including the nature of the interaction of profilin with microtubules, and its effect on microtubule dynamics. These recent discoveries deepen our understanding on how different cytoskeleton components are integrated within cells.