What role do actin filaments play in eukaryotic cells? How do they fulfill this role?

Question

What role do actin filaments play in eukaryotic cells?  How do they fulfill this role?

anonymous · Answer

As far as i know, they have a structural purpose as cytoskeleton, i compare them with Mesangium in the glomerulus. Hope that helps.

anonymous · Answer

Actin forms part of the contractile mechanism in muscles. It also acts to allow cells to move and divide. The actin molecules form into long actin filaments which provide a scaffold for myosin to pull against - either as they transport molecules around the cell or as part of muscle contraction. They also bind to cell adhesion molecules so they have a role in anchoring cells to the extracellular matrix. There's a good page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actin