nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of actin and similar proteins
Actin is a ubiquitous protein involved in the formation of filaments that are major components of the cytoskeleton. It is a highly dynamic structural protein network involved in processes such as cell contraction, cell motility, vesicle trafficking, intracellular organization, cytokinesis, endocytosis and apoptosis. Actin is a monomeric globular protein (G-actin) that reversibly polymerizes to form filaments (F-actin). Each actin protomer binds one molecule of ATP and either calcium or magnesium ions. At low salt concentrations, actin exists as a monomer, and as the salt concentration rises F-actin forms, with the consequent hydrolysis of ATP. F-actin assembly is in constant flux with G-actin association occurring at the barbed end (+) and its disassociation at the pointed end (-). Actin monomers that have been released from the pointed end can be reused, if the ADP is exchanged for ATP. F-actin filaments can assemble into higher order structures, for example branched F-actin, and stress fibers. Actin binding proteins regulate actin filament dynamics by a range of functions including actin severing, depolymerizing, capping, stabilizing and de novo actin polymerization. Actins interaction with myosin is the basis of muscular contraction and many aspects of cell motility. In vertebrates there are three main groups of actin isoforms, alpha, beta and gamma. The alpha actins found in muscle tissues are a major constituent of the contractile apparatus. The beta and gamma actins co-exist in most cell types as components of the cytoskeleton and as mediators of internal cell motility. In plants there are many isoforms which are probably involved in a variety of functions such as cytoplasmic streaming, cell shape determination, tip growth, graviperception, cell wall deposition, etc.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",