Structure and dynamics of actin filament complex:mechanism of calcium regulation of muscle contraction

肌动蛋白是真核细胞中含量最丰富的蛋白质之一，具有多种重要的细胞功能。在肌肉细胞中，肌动蛋白单体组装成丝状聚集体，在肌肉收缩及其调节中发挥作用，而在非肌肉细胞中，肌动蛋白通过单体和细丝之间的组装和分解循环来驱动细胞的运动。在本项目中，首次阐明了肌动蛋白细丝的三维结构，以及肌动蛋白与其他蛋白质的复合体结构。基于这些结构，我们对肌动蛋白的细胞功能有了机械性的理解。

Actin is one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells, and preforms numerous crucial cellular functions. In muscle cells, actin monomers assemble into filamentous aggregates, play roles in muscle contraction and its regulation, while in non-muscle cells, actin drives cell motility through cycles of assembly and disassembly between monomers and filaments. In this project, the 3D structure of the actin filament was first elucidated, as well as structures of complex of actin with other proteins. Based on these structures, we have gained mechanistic understanding of actin cellular functions.