Biological Sciences

Actin filament dynamics with profilin, cofilin, and thymosin.

This illustration explains the actin polymerization and depolymerization cycle, essential for cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular functions like shape regulation and motility. Actin filaments grow at the (+) end with ATP-bound actin (actin-ATP) and depolymerize from the (–) end as actin-ADP is released. The cofilin cycle promotes filament severing at the (–) end, while the profilin cycle exchanges ADP for ATP on actin monomers, preparing them for polymerization. The thymosin-β₄ cycle regulates the availability of actin monomers by sequestering ATP-actin.

This illustration is ideal for use in biology textbooks, molecular biology journals, and educational resources focused on cytoskeletal regulation and intracellular dynamics.

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