Arp 2/3 complex

A seven protein complex required for actin nucleation

General Information

Actin polymerization is a necessary event for cell motility. Spontanous actin oligomerization is slow at given monomeric actin concentrations in cells. The Arp 2/3 complex which is about 220 kDa in size has turned out to initiate the polymerization of new actin filaments. This complex consists of two actin like proteins Arp2 and Arp3 and five additional proteins: p16-Arc (ArpC5), p20-Arc (ArpC4), p21-Arc (ArpC3), p34-Arc (ArpC2) and p41-Arc (ArpC1). Expression of partial complexes revealed that a heterodimer of p20-Arc and p34-Arc constitutes the core of the complex whereas the remaining subunits are peripherally located.