Problem 6

Background and context

Treadmilling is the process by which a G-actin attaches to the + end of the F-actin at a faster rate than the G-actin dissociate from the - end, giving the appearance of it moving like a treadmill. The constant removal of actin monomers from the pointed ends of filaments and their reincorporation at barbed ends, known as actin treadmilling, is required for cell motility. The actin-binding protein ADF/cofilin, which accelerates the release of actin monomers from pointed ends, speeds up the process.