In: Biology
How are actin filament and microtubule assembly similar?
Microfilaments or actin filaments and microtubules are key components of the cytoskeleton of an eukaryotic cell. Together they help provide a a shape to the cell and help in movement of cells as well of organelles.
Microtubules are composed of two globular proteins called alpha and beta tubulin. Both tubulin molecules are bead like proteins that polymerise in a linear fashion to form a row of tubulin dimers called protofilament. Many protofilaments associate laterally to form a helical microtubule.
Microfilaments are composed of several globular actin subunits. Several actin subunits assemble into long actin polymers. Two such actin filaments form a double helix like structure that is known as microfilaments.
During polymerization of actin as well as alpha and beta tubulin ATP is required. ?
As you can see ATP is an essential requirement for assembly of both microfilaments and micro tubules and assembly of both invovles polymerization of subunits into filaments that further assemble to form the fibers.