The Actin Cytoskeleton in Yeast and Animal Cells

Abstract

The cell is the smallest functional unit of all known living organisms and is the building block of life. All cells are derived from pre-existing cells and irrespective of whether cells reproduce sexually or asexually, cells need to establish polarity, segregate the chromosomes and undergo cytokinesis to generate the daughter cells. Cells also need to maintain correct shape and interact with their environment and many cells also have the ability to change shape and migrate from place to place. These spatial and mechanical functions depend on a system of filaments collectively called as cytoskeleton. The entire focus of this review would be on the proteins associated with the actin network in yeast and mammalian cells.