Question

Antibodies are well suited for recognizing extracellular substances from invading bacteria and viruses. However, the immune system must also be able to respond to intracellular infections. Explain why the immune system includes binding proteins that recognize F-actin.

Short answer

The immune system includes binding proteins that recognize F-actin to target the actomyosin network of the infected cell.

Step-by-step solution

Immune cells in intracellular infections

In intracellular infections, immune cells recognize the infected cells and engulf them.

F-actin function in a cell

At the cellular level, F-actin binds with myosin and other actin-binding proteins to form the cellular cytoskeleton. This actomyosin network is important in many cellular processes, such as cellular motility, cell shape determination, etc.

Immune system includes binding proteins that recognize F-actin

While engulfing an infected cell, the immune cells rupture the actomyosin network with the help of the binding proteins that recognize F-actin.