← all shorts

Concept

Actin

A detailed illustration of actin filaments radiating from a central hub, showcasing their branching structure and role in cellular mechanics and movement.

One of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells, forming long filaments that give a cell mechanical structure and allow it to change shape. During the final stage of cell division, a contractile ring of actin and myosin tightens around the cell's equator and pinches it in two. The same proteins, organised differently, are what slide past each other when your muscles contract.

Mentioned in 1 article