The cytoskeleton has diverse functions, owing to the diverse structure of the proteins and filaments that form it. The interactions between these proteins result in emergent properties that add yet another layer to these diverse functions. Two major proteins in the cytoskeleton are actin and tubulin, which comprise microtubules and microfilaments respectively. Actin and tubulin have different structures and functions, and interact with each other to create emergent properties. One characteristic that is extremely different in tubulin and actin is their stiffness; microtubules made of tubulin are much more stiff than microfilaments made of actin. When these two proteins are added together in high concentrations, they interact sterically, and as a result, conform to the “reptation” or “tube” model. Each filament is spatially restricted to a tube-like area, which is formed by the constraining filaments around it. In order to relax and decrease the straining forces on it, the filament reptates, (sliding curvilinearly) out of its tubular space. There are other methods by which the filaments can partially relax, such as bending fluctuations.The interactions that occur in cells between actin and tubulin are integral to cellular function. Interactions between these proteins provide controlled, structured support of the cytoskeleton. They also are also important in cytokinesis and cell motility. Another key trait of microtubule-actin interactions is their ability to reinforce each other’s strength and elasticity. When interacting with the supporting actin network around it, a microtubule can withstand much larger forces without buckling than it would be able to withstand alone. Learning the interactions of these filaments has several different potential applications. In material engineering, tweaking the ratio of softer, more flexible rods (such as actin) to stiffer rods (such as tubulin) could help one discover the ideal ratio to be used to synthesize a material that is light yet durable. Combinations of actin and tubulin also provide the possibility for increased control over large-scale mechanics.
Comments
pp response
Very well written Academic paragraph, uses scientific language and sentence structure to get the point across in a formal yet understandable manner. I don't see anything wrong with this paragraph.
One thing I noticed is that
One thing I noticed is that you put an unnecessary comma after the word "reptates" and before your parenthetical. This comma is not needed to separate the word from its definition in parentheses and is the action to the later part of the sentence "out of its tubular space". You also use the word "diverse" a lot in the beginning of the paragraph and you may want to consider a different word or a way to rephrase what you are trying to say.
You can probably change "One
You can probably change "One characteristic that is extremely different in tubulin and actin is their stiffness; microtubules made of tubulin are much more stiff than microfilaments made of actin" into two short sentences.