Ono, S. (2002) Function of ADF/cofilin in muscle cells: an important regulator of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in myofibril assembly and muscle disease. in Recent Developments in Cell Research, Kerala, India.

In muscle cells, the actin cytoskeleton is differentiated into myofibrils that are specialized contractile apparatuses. To assemble and maitain myofibrils, a specific regulatory mechanism of actin filament dynamics is required. The actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin proteins are ubiquitous regulators of actin turnover among eukaryotes. However, muscle-specific ADF/cofilin isoforms are present in several species and play important roles in actin organization in muscle cells. This review describes the function of ADF/cofilin as an important regulator of myofibril assembly and muscle disease.