In vitro and under steady state conditions, the critical concentration (Cc) of t

Question

In vitro and under steady state conditions, the critical concentration (Cc) of the barbed end of a filament is 0.1 um, and the Cc of the pointed end of this filament is 0.6 um. If the concentration of actin-ATP monomers is 0.3 um, what would happen to this actin filament?

The barbed end would grow by adding monomers and the pointed end would shrink by losing monomers.

The barbed end would shrink by losing monomers and the pointed end would grow by adding monomers.

Both ends would grow by the addition of monomers, but at different rates

Both ends would shrink by loss of monomers, but at different rates.

Cannot predict from the information provided

The barbed end would grow by adding monomers and the pointed end would shrink by losing monomers.

The barbed end would shrink by losing monomers and the pointed end would grow by adding monomers.

Both ends would grow by the addition of monomers, but at different rates

Both ends would shrink by loss of monomers, but at different rates.

Cannot predict from the information provided

Explanation / Answer

The pointed end (-) and barbed end (+) ends have a different criticial concentration (Cc) for the growth of actin filaments. At the Cc level, the rate of addition of monomers is balanced by the rate of loss. So, there is no net growth at that end. At concentrations above the Cc, actin filament growth occurs, where as below Cc, there is a loss of subunits and shrinkage occurs. here, the concentration of actin-ATP monomers is 0.3 um which is less than the Cc of 0.6 um. Therefore, both ends would shrink by loss of monomers, but at different rates. (option d).

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