Spectraplakins: the cytoskeleton's Swiss army knife

Cell. 2008 Oct 3;135(1):16-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.09.023.

Abstract

Spectraplakins are multifunctional proteins that interact with all three types of cytoskeletal filaments. In this issue, Wu et al. (2008) demonstrate a new actin-dependent ATPase activity for the spectraplakin ACF7 that allows it to guide microtubule ends along actin stress fibers to focal adhesions, promoting disassembly of adhesion contacts and hence cell movement.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Focal Adhesions / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins