CTC Recombinant Proteins 

CTC (Cytoskeletal Tension Complex) recombinant proteins are engineered proteins that play key roles in cellular mechanics, particularly in the organization and maintenance of the cytoskeleton. These proteins are integral to the regulation of cellular tension, mechanical properties, and shape, influencing processes such as migration, adhesion, and division. The CTC complex is involved in the dynamic interactions between actin filaments, myosin motors, and other cytoskeletal proteins, regulating the mechanical forces that govern cell movement and tissue integrity.

Content:

• Source and Expression: CTC recombinant proteins are typically expressed in E. coli, yeast, or mammalian cells depending on the required protein modifications and the scale of production. The genes encoding the subunits of the CTC complex are cloned into vectors that facilitate expression in these systems. Expression in mammalian cells is often preferred when post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation or glycosylation are necessary for protein function.
• Purification: The recombinant CTC proteins are purified using standard techniques like affinity chromatography (e.g., His-tag or GST-tag), ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography. The purification process ensures the high purity and functional integrity of the protein, making it suitable for structural, functional, and mechanistic studies.
• Structure: CTC proteins consist of a network of interacting cytoskeletal components, including actin, intermediate filaments, and myosin motors. The structure of recombinant CTC proteins allows them to form complex networks within the cytoskeleton, interacting with other cellular structures to generate force and maintain cell shape and function.

Applications:

•   Cell Motility Studies: 

CTC recombinant proteins are used to study the mechanics of cell migration. By mimicking the mechanical forces within the cytoskeleton, these proteins can be used in assays that examine how cells move in response to external signals. This has applications in wound healing, immune cell trafficking, and cancer metastasis.

•   Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Force Generation: 

Recombinant CTC proteins are key tools for studying the dynamic processes of cytoskeletal reorganization and force generation. These studies help understand how cells generate internal forces and how these forces influence cellular functions such as division, differentiation, and morphology.

•    Disease Mechanisms Research: 

Disruption of cytoskeletal tension complexes can lead to various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Recombinant CTC proteins are used in disease modeling to investigate the effects of mutations or disruptions in cytoskeletal tension and to better understand how such alterations contribute to disease progression.

•   Drug Screening and Development: 

CTC recombinant proteins are utilized in drug discovery to screen for compounds that can modulate the mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton. These studies are particularly relevant in identifying small molecules or biologics that can restore normal cellular mechanics in diseases associated with cytoskeletal dysfunction.

In summary, CTC recombinant proteins are crucial tools for investigating the mechanics of the cytoskeleton, cellular tension, and force generation. They have a wide range of applications in cell biology, disease research, drug discovery, and tissue engineering, providing insights into the molecular basis of cellular movement, mechanical stress, and associated diseases.