Page last updated: 2024-10-24

cytoskeleton-dependent intracellular transport

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The directed movement of substances along cytoskeletal fibers such as microfilaments or microtubules within a cell. [GOC:mah]

The cytoskeleton, a dynamic network of protein filaments, plays a crucial role in intracellular transport. This complex process involves the movement of various cargos, including organelles, vesicles, proteins, and mRNA, throughout the cell. Three main types of cytoskeletal filaments contribute to this transport: microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments.

**Microtubules** are long, hollow cylinders composed of α- and β-tubulin dimers. They form tracks for long-distance transport, primarily directed by motor proteins like kinesin and dynein. Kinesin moves cargo towards the plus end of microtubules, typically towards the cell periphery, while dynein moves cargo towards the minus end, often towards the cell center. This directed movement is essential for processes like organelle positioning, vesicle trafficking, and chromosome segregation during cell division.

**Actin filaments** are thin, flexible polymers of the protein actin. They form networks that support cell shape, provide structural support, and enable cell movement. Actin-based transport is primarily driven by myosin motor proteins. Myosins bind to actin filaments and use ATP to move cargo along the filaments. This is important for processes like endocytosis, exocytosis, and localized transport within specific cellular compartments.

**Intermediate filaments** are rope-like structures made of various protein subunits. They are primarily involved in providing structural support and maintaining cell shape. However, some intermediate filaments have been implicated in intracellular transport, potentially acting as tracks or anchoring points for other transport components.

**Cytoskeleton-dependent intracellular transport is tightly regulated** by various factors, including:

* **Motor protein activity:** The activity of motor proteins like kinesin, dynein, and myosin is regulated by phosphorylation, binding to cargo, and interactions with other regulatory proteins.
* **Cargo binding:** The specific cargo bound to motor proteins determines the destination and pathway of transport.
* **Cytoskeletal organization:** The arrangement and dynamics of microtubules and actin filaments are regulated by various cellular signals and factors, influencing transport pathways and destinations.
* **Signaling pathways:** Intracellular signaling pathways can modulate cytoskeletal organization, motor protein activity, and cargo sorting, ensuring efficient and targeted intracellular transport.

This intricate network of cytoskeletal filaments, motor proteins, and regulatory mechanisms allows cells to maintain their structure, transport essential components, and respond to various cellular signals. Any disruption in this complex process can lead to various cellular dysfunctions and diseases.'
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Proteins (5)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Unconventional myosin-X[no definition available]Bos taurus (cattle)
Tubulin alpha-1C chainA tubulin alpha-1C chain that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9BQE3]Homo sapiens (human)
Tubulin alpha-1A chainA tubulin alpha-1A chain that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q71U36]Homo sapiens (human)
Tubulin alpha-1B chainA tubulin alpha-1B chain that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P68363]Homo sapiens (human)
Tubulin beta chainA tubulin beta chain that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P07437]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (61)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
nocodazolearomatic ketone;
benzimidazoles;
carbamate ester;
thiophenes
antimitotic;
antineoplastic agent;
microtubule-destabilising agent;
tubulin modulator
vincristineacetate ester;
formamides;
methyl ester;
organic heteropentacyclic compound;
organic heterotetracyclic compound;
tertiary alcohol;
tertiary amino compound;
vinca alkaloid
antineoplastic agent;
drug;
microtubule-destabilising agent;
plant metabolite;
tubulin modulator
colchicine(S)-colchicine : A colchicine that has (S)-configuration. It is a secondary metabolite, has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat gout, crystal-induced joint inflammation, familial Mediterranean fever, and many other conditions.alkaloid;
colchicine
anti-inflammatory agent;
gout suppressant;
mutagen
kokusagininekokusaginine: antimalarial alkaloid from Teclea afzelii; structure in first sourceorganic heterotricyclic compound;
organonitrogen heterocyclic compound;
oxacycle
podophyllotoxinPodophyllum: A genus of poisonous American herbs, family BERBERIDACEAE. The roots yield PODOPHYLLOTOXIN and other pharmacologically important agents. The plant was formerly used as a cholagogue and cathartic. It is different from the European mandrake, MANDRAGORA.furonaphthodioxole;
lignan;
organic heterotetracyclic compound
antimitotic;
antineoplastic agent;
keratolytic drug;
microtubule-destabilising agent;
plant metabolite;
tubulin modulator
vinblastine
desacetamidocolchicinedesacetamidocolchicine: structure given in first source
thiocholchicinethiocholchicine: RN refers to (S)-isomer
parbendazoleparbendazole: anthelmintic used against a variety of gastrointestinal parasites; minor descriptor (75-86); on-line & INDEX MEDICUS search BENZIMIDAZOLES; RN given refers to parent cpdbenzimidazoles;
carbamate ester
paclitaxelTaxus: Genus of coniferous yew trees or shrubs, several species of which have medicinal uses. Notable is the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia, which is used to make the anti-neoplastic drug taxol (PACLITAXEL).taxane diterpenoid;
tetracyclic diterpenoid
antineoplastic agent;
human metabolite;
metabolite;
microtubule-stabilising agent
2-demethylthiocolchicine2-demethylthiocolchicine: RN & structure given in first source; RN not in Chemline 10/85
3-demethylthiocolchicine3-demethylthiocolchicine: RN & structure given in first source; RN not in Chemline 10/85
quercetin 5,7,3',4'-tetramethyl etherquercetin 5,7,3',4'-tetramethyl ether : A tetramethoxyflavone that is the 5,7,3',4'-tetramethy-derivative of quercetin.flavonols;
tetramethoxyflavone
plant metabolite
5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3'-pentamethoxyflavone5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3'-pentamethoxyflavone: a flavonol isolated from Polanisia dodecandra; structure given in first source
5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone: has antineoplastic activity; structure in first sourceether;
flavonoids
docetaxelhydrate;
secondary alpha-hydroxy ketone
antineoplastic agent
levofloxacinlevofloxacin : An optically active form of ofloxacin having (S)-configuration; an inhibitor of bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase.

Levofloxacin: The L-isomer of Ofloxacin.
9-fluoro-3-methyl-10-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline-6-carboxylic acid;
fluoroquinolone antibiotic;
quinolone antibiotic
antibacterial drug;
DNA synthesis inhibitor;
EC 5.99.1.3 [DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolysing)] inhibitor;
topoisomerase IV inhibitor
3,3',4',5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone3,3',4',5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone: has anti-inflammatory activity; isolated from citrus fruit; exhibit antiadhesive action on plateletsether;
flavonoids
ustiloxin dustiloxin D: an antimitotic cyclic peptide; from false smut balls on rice panicles caused by Ustilaginoidea virens; structure given in first sourceoligopeptide
4'-demethyldesoxypodophyllotoxin4'-demethyldeoxypodophyllotoxin : A member of the class of furonaphthodioxoles that is (5R,5aR,8aR)-5,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-2H-furo[3',4':6,7]naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-6(5aH)-one substituted at position 5 by a 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl group.

4'-demethyldesoxypodophyllotoxin: from the root of Bursera tonkinensis Guillaum; structure in first source
furonaphthodioxole;
gamma-lactone;
lignan;
methoxybenzenes;
phenols
antineoplastic agent;
antioxidant;
immunosuppressive agent;
plant metabolite
2-phenyl-4-oxohydroquinoline2-phenyl-4-oxohydroquinoline: structure given in first source
ustiloxin austiloxin A: a modified peptide from the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens or false smut ball; structurally similar to phomopsin A; structure given in first source
vinblastine sulfatealkaloid sulfate salt
vincaleukoblastineacetate ester;
indole alkaloid fundamental parent;
methyl ester;
organic heteropentacyclic compound;
organic heterotetracyclic compound;
tertiary alcohol;
tertiary amino compound;
vinca alkaloid
antineoplastic agent;
immunosuppressive agent;
microtubule-destabilising agent;
plant metabolite
gardenin agardenin A: promotes neurite outgrowth; structure in first source
noscapine(-)-noscapine : A benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline which is substituted by a 4,5-dimethoxy-3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl group at position 1, a methylenedioxy group at positions 6-7 and a methoxy group at position 8. Obtained from plants of the Papaveraceae family, it lacks significant painkilling properties and is primarily used for its antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects.

Noscapine: A naturally occurring opium alkaloid that is a centrally acting antitussive agent.
aromatic ether;
benzylisoquinoline alkaloid;
cyclic acetal;
isobenzofuranone;
organic heterobicyclic compound;
organic heterotricyclic compound;
tertiary amino compound
antineoplastic agent;
antitussive;
apoptosis inducer;
plant metabolite
3',4',5'-trimethoxyflavone3',4',5'-trimethoxyflavone: structure in first sourceether;
flavonoids
anthricinanthricin: antitumor constituent from Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm; structure in first source

deoxypodophyllotoxin : A member of the class of furonaphthodioxoles that is (5R,5aR,8aR)-5,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-2H-furo[3',4':6,7]naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-6(5aH)-one substituted at position 5 by a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl group.
furonaphthodioxole;
gamma-lactone;
lignan;
methoxybenzenes
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
plant metabolite
5-demethylnobiletin5-demethylnobiletin: antineoplastic from Citrus plants; structure in first sourceether;
flavonoids
5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone: an antineoplastic flavonol isolated from Polanisia dodecandra; structure given in first source
epothilone bepothilone;
epoxide
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
microtubule-stabilising agent
chalconetrans-chalcone : The trans-isomer of chalcone.chalconeEC 3.2.1.1 (alpha-amylase) inhibitor
2-amino-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-4h-chromene2-amino-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-4H-chromene: induces apoptosis; structure in first source
e 7010E 7010: inhibits tubulin polymerization; structure given in first sourcesulfonamide
blisterblebbistatin : A pyrroloquinoline that is 1,2,3,3a-tetrahydro-H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolin-4-one substituted by a hydroxy group at position 3a, a methyl group at position 6 and a phenyl group at position 1. It acts as an inhibitor of ATPase activity of non-muscle myosin II.

blebbistatin: structure in first source
cyclic ketone;
pyrroloquinoline;
tertiary alcohol;
tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone
inhibitor
eupatilineupatilin : A trimethoxyflavone that is flavone substituted by hydroxy groups at C-5 and C-7 and methoxy groups at C-6, C-3' and C-4' respectively. Isolated from Citrus reticulata and Salvia tomentosa, it exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antineoplastic activities.

eupatilin: isolated from Artemisia argyi
dihydroxyflavone;
trimethoxyflavone
anti-inflammatory agent;
anti-ulcer drug;
antineoplastic agent;
EC 1.13.11.34 (arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase) inhibitor;
metabolite
ayanin3',5-dihydroxy-3,4',7-trimethoxyflavone : A trimethoxyflavone that is quercetin in which the hydroxy groups at positions 3, 4' and 7 have been replaced by methoxy groups.

ayanin: has cytoprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory activities; isolated from Croton schiedeanus (Euphorbiaceae); structure in first source
dihydroxyflavone;
trimethoxyflavone
plant metabolite
morinmorin : A pentahydroxyflavone that is 7-hydroxyflavonol bearing three additional hydroxy substituents at positions 2' 4' and 5.

morin: a light yellowish pigment found in the wood of old fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria)
7-hydroxyflavonol;
pentahydroxyflavone
angiogenesis modulating agent;
anti-inflammatory agent;
antibacterial agent;
antihypertensive agent;
antineoplastic agent;
antioxidant;
EC 5.99.1.2 (DNA topoisomerase) inhibitor;
hepatoprotective agent;
metabolite;
neuroprotective agent
santinsantin : A trimethoxyflavone that is flavone substituted by methoxy groups at positions 3, 6 and 4' and hydroxy groups at positions 5 and 7 respectively.

santin: from Tanacetum microphyllum; structure given in first source
dihydroxyflavone;
trimethoxyflavone
plant metabolite
curacin acuracin A: RN refers to curacin A (the Z,E,E-isomer), the major lipid component of a strain of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula; structure given in first sourcethiazoles
vinorelbineacetate ester;
methyl ester;
organic heteropentacyclic compound;
organic heterotetracyclic compound;
ring assembly;
vinca alkaloid
antineoplastic agent;
photosensitizing agent
centaureidincentaureidin : A trihydroxyflavone that consists of quercetagetin in which the hydroxy groups at positions 3, 6 and 4' have been replaced by methoxy groups. It has been isolated from Eremophila mitchellii and Athroisma proteiforme.

centaureidin: structure given in first source; isolated from Tanacetum microphyllum, Brickellia veronicaefolia
trihydroxyflavone;
trimethoxyflavone
antineoplastic agent;
cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitor;
cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor;
plant metabolite
eupatineupatin : A trimethoxyflavone that is quercetagetin methylated at positions 4', 6 and 7.flavonols;
trihydroxyflavone;
trimethoxyflavone
5,7-dihydroxy-4',6-dimethoxyflavone5,7-dihydroxy-4',6-dimethoxyflavone: from Cirsium japonicum D. C.

pectolinarigenin : A dimethoxyflavone that is the 6,4'-dimethyl ether derivative of scutellarein.
dihydroxyflavone;
dimethoxyflavone
plant metabolite
fosbretabulinstilbenoid
5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone: induced cell death in human leukemia cells is dependent on caspases and activates the MAPK pathway; structure in first source

quercetin 3,4'-dimethyl ether : A dimethoxyflavone that is the 3,4'-dimethyl ether derivative of quercetin. Isolated from Combretum quadrangulare, it exhibits antineoplastic activity.
dimethoxyflavone;
trihydroxyflavone
antineoplastic agent;
metabolite
1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethene
vinblastine sulfate
ternatin (flavonoid)ternatin (flavonoid): from Sceptridium ternatum; also isolated from Egletes viscosa; structure in first sourceether;
flavonoids
cryptophycin 1
pironetinpironetin: a microbial secondary metabolite having the activity of shortening plant height from Streptomyces sp.; structure in first sourcealiphatic alcohol
ave-8063AVE-8063: has both antivascular and antineoplastic activities; structure in first source
dolastatin 10dolastatin 10 : A tetrapeptide that is isolated from the sea hare Dolabella auricularia. It is a potent anticancer agent which inhibits tubulin polymerization.

dolastatin 10: from mollusk Dolabella auricularia; contains four amino acids, dolavaline, dolaisoleucine, dolaproine, valine and the primary amine dolaphenine; deo-dolastatin 10 is a new dolastatin 10 chiral derivative with MW of 784
1,3-thiazoles;
tetrapeptide
animal metabolite;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
marine metabolite;
microtubule-destabilising agent
3-hydroxy-4,3',4',5'-tetramethoxychalcone3-hydroxy-4,3',4',5'-tetramethoxychalcone: structure in first source
nsc 348103
dolastatin 15dolastatin 15: from Dolabella auricularia; seven subunit depsipeptide
arenastatin a
zampanolidezampanolide: structure in first source
kx-01
isocombretastatin a-4
2-styrylquinazolin-4(3h)-one2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one: structure given in first source