Actin filament functional diversity is paralleled by variation in the composition of isoforms of tropomyosin in these filaments.

 The intracellular sorting of tropomyosin isoforms indicated a role in spatial specialization of actin filament function. Genetic manipulation and protein chemistry studies have confirmed that these isoforms are functionally distinct.

 Tropomyosins differ in their recruitment of myosin motors and their interaction with actin filament regulators such as ADF-cofilin.

 Tropomyosin isoforms have therefore provided a powerful mechanism to diversify actin filament function in different intracellular compartments.

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References

 Gunning PW, Schevzov G, Kee AJ, Hardeman EC. Tropomyosin isoforms: divining rods for actin cytoskeleton function. Trends Cell Biol. 2005 Jun;15(6):333-41. PMID: #15953552#