Definitions for microfilament
ˌmaɪ krəˈfɪl ə məntmi·cro·fil·a·ment

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. microfilamentnoun

   A very fine (thin) filament.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Microfilament

   Microfilaments, also called actin filaments, are protein filaments in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that form part of the cytoskeleton. They are primarily composed of polymers of actin, but are modified by and interact with numerous other proteins in the cell. Microfilaments are usually about 7 nm in diameter and made up of two strands of actin. Microfilament functions include cytokinesis, amoeboid movement, cell motility, changes in cell shape, endocytosis and exocytosis, cell contractility, and mechanical stability. Microfilaments are flexible and relatively strong, resisting buckling by multi-piconewton compressive forces and filament fracture by nanonewton tensile forces. In inducing cell motility, one end of the actin filament elongates while the other end contracts, presumably by myosin II molecular motors. Additionally, they function as part of actomyosin-driven contractile molecular motors, wherein the thin filaments serve as tensile platforms for myosin's ATP-dependent pulling action in muscle contraction and pseudopod advancement. Microfilaments have a tough, flexible framework which helps the cell in movement.Actin was first discovered in rabbit skeletal muscle in the mid 1940 by F.B. Straub1. Almost 20 years later, H.E. Huxley demonstrated that actin is essential for muscle constriction. The mechanism in which actin creates long filaments was first described in the mid 1980. Later studies showed that actin has an important role in cell shape, motility, and cytokinesis.

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1. Microfilament

   Microfilaments or actin filaments are the thinnest filaments of the cytoskeleton, a structure found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. These linear polymers of actin subunits are flexible and relatively strong, resisting buckling by multi-piconewton compressive forces and filament fracture by nanonewton tensile forces. Microfilaments are highly versatile, functioning in cytokinesis, amoeboid movement, and changes in cell shape. In inducing this cell motility, one end of the actin filament elongates while the other end contracts, presumably by myosin II molecular motors. Additionally, they function as part of actomyosin-driven contractile molecular motors, wherein the thin filaments serve as tensile platforms for myosin's ATP-dependent pulling action in muscle contraction and pseudopod advancement. Microfilaments have a tough, flexible framework which helps the cell in movement.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. microfilament

   A form of protein filament.

   Microfilament is present in the body of a human and has a role in muscle movement.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on December 26, 2020  

How to pronounce microfilament?

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Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of microfilament in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of microfilament in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

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References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Microfilament
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfilament
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=microfilament