Tropomodulin (TMOD) is a protein which binds and caps the minus end of

actin Actin is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments in the cytoskeleton, and the thin filaments in muscle fibrils. It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at a concentration of ov ...

(the "pointed" end), regulating the length of

filaments in muscle and non-muscle cells. The protein functions by physically blocking the spontaneous dissociation of ADP-bound actin monomers from the minus end of the actin fibre. This, along with plus end capping proteins, such as

capZ CapZ, also known as CAPZ, CAZ1 and CAPPA1, is a capping protein that caps the barbed end of actin filaments in muscle cells. Structure CapZ is a heterodimeric molecule, made up of an α and β subunit. The α and β subunits are similar in struct ...

stabilise the structure of the actin filament. End capping is particularly important when long-lived actin filaments are necessary, for example: in myofibrils. Inhibition of tropomodulin capping activity leads to dramatic increase in thin filament length from its pointed end.

Genes

References

External links