Biomaterial Database

The tightly bound divalent cation regulates actin polymerization. 1983

L A Selden, and J E Estes, and L C Gershman

The polymerization characteristics of Ca++-actin and Mg++-actin were studied by measuring initial rates of polymerization upon addition of phalloidin-stabilized nuclei and neutral salt. Under conditions where the effects of divalent cation exchange were minimized, CaCl2 and MgCl2 were found to be equally effective in polymerizing actin. Mg++-actin was found to nucleate and polymerize more readily than Ca++-actin, having a forward rate constant about twice that of Ca++-actin under a variety of polymerizing conditions. The critical concentration for Ca++-actin is approximately 20 times that for Mg++-actin under equivalent conditions. These data imply that the polymer of Mg++-actin must be more stable than that of Ca++-actin, having a depolymerization rate constant about 10 fold lower. Since Mg++ is probably the tightly-bound cation in vivo, whereas Ca++-actin has been more widely studied in vitro, it would appear that actin in its physiological state is probably more polymerizable and more stable in the polymer form than previously considered.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002122	Calcium Chloride	A salt used to replenish calcium levels, as an acid-producing diuretic, and as an antidote for magnesium poisoning.	Calcium Chloride Dihydrate,Calcium Chloride, Anhydrous
D000199	Actins	Filamentous proteins that are the main constituent of the thin filaments of muscle fibers. The filaments (known also as filamentous or F-actin) can be dissociated into their globular subunits; each subunit is composed of a single polypeptide 375 amino acids long. This is known as globular or G-actin. In conjunction with MYOSINS, actin is responsible for the contraction and relaxation of muscle.	F-Actin,G-Actin,Actin,Isoactin,N-Actin,alpha-Actin,alpha-Isoactin,beta-Actin,gamma-Actin,F Actin,G Actin,N Actin,alpha Actin,alpha Isoactin,beta Actin,gamma Actin
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D015636	Magnesium Chloride	Magnesium chloride. An inorganic compound consisting of one magnesium and two chloride ions. The compound is used in medicine as a source of magnesium ions, which are essential for many cellular activities. It has also been used as a cathartic and in alloys.	MgCl2,Chloride, Magnesium