cytoskeleton
Let an agent explain the cytoskeleton and its components, relay their structure, dynamics and functions from cell biology sources, describe its role in disease and drug action, and distinguish its subsystems.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain the cytoskeleton and its components, relay their structure, dynamics and functions from cell biology sources, describe its role in disease and drug action, and distinguish its subsystems.
The network of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of cells that gives them shape, mechanical strength and internal organisation and drives movement, made up in eukaryotes of actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules with associated motor and cross-linking proteins, and in bacteria and archaea of related proteins; the cytoskeleton underlies cell division, transport, muscle contraction and migration.
What it is for: Shaping, organising and moving cells.
It can be explain components and dynamics; relay functions in division, transport and movement; describe roles in disease and drugs; distinguish subsystems.
Distinguishing features
Three filament systems in eukaryotes
Dynamic assembly and disassembly
Motor proteins
Prokaryotic homologues
What it looks like
Not visible to the eye; seen by microscopy as networks of filaments stained in fluorescent colours.
Physical character
actin filament diameter: about 7 nm
intermediate filament diameter: about 10 nm
microtubule diameter: about 25 nm
How it is recognised
Filament network in the cytoplasm
Actin, intermediate filaments and microtubules
The extracellular matrix is outside the cell; the cell wall is a separate structure
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
includes - a filament system
includes - a filament system
drives - through the spindle and contractile ring
In practice
Families and kinds
actin cytoskeleton including the cortical cytoskeleton
intermediate filament cytoskeleton
microtubule cytoskeleton
spectrin-associated membrane skeleton
specialised structures such as the sperm perinuclear theca
prokaryotic cytoskeleton
Identifiers
Gene Ontology GO:0005856 cytoskeleton
Standards and regulation
No regulation; research standards and nomenclature
Failure modes and hazards
Diseases from cytoskeletal mutations such as some cardiomyopathies and neuropathies
Drug targets with side effects, such as microtubule inhibitors
Confusing subsystems
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.cytoskeleton
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Structure Components.
Science.
Filaments
The three systems.
Filaments
Filaments.
- What are actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules, and how do they differ? definition
- Is the structure cytoskeletal or extracellular? boundary
Proteins
Associated proteins.
Proteins
Proteins.
- What motor, nucleating and cross-linking proteins organise the cytoskeleton? definition
- Which entry fits the specific protein? action
Function Functions.
Science.
Dynamics
Dynamics.
Dynamics
Dynamics.
- How do filaments assemble, disassemble and generate force? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Roles
Roles in the cell.
Roles
Roles.
- How does the cytoskeleton drive division, transport, migration and muscle contraction? provenance
- Which entry fits cell motility? action
Medicine Disease and drugs.
Application.
Disease
Disease.
Disease
Disease.
- Which diseases involve cytoskeletal defects, with findings attributed? provenance
- Is the user asking about a personal condition, which needs a clinician? boundary
Drugs
Drug targets.
Drugs
Drugs.
- How do drugs such as taxanes and vinca alkaloids act on the cytoskeleton? provenance
- Which entry fits microtubule inhibitor? action
Context Evolution and study.
Study.
Evolution
Evolution.
Evolution
Evolution.
- How did the cytoskeleton evolve, and what are its prokaryotic homologues? provenance
- Which entry fits prokaryotic cytoskeleton? action
Methods
Methods.
Methods
Methods.
- How is the cytoskeleton studied, from fluorescence microscopy to cryo-electron tomography? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should each filament system be a separate entry?
- How should Gene Ontology terms be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming subsystems; should they be split off?