FIGURE 17-2 The components of the cytoskeleton. Each filament type is assembled from specific subunits in a reversible process so that cells can assemble and disassemble filaments as needed. Bottom panels show localization of the three filament systems in cultured cells as seen by immunofluorescence microscopy of actin, tubulin, and an intermediate filament protein, respectively.

[Actin and tubulin courtesy of Damien Garbett and Anthony Bretscher; intermediate filaments photo courtesy Molecular Expressions, Nikon & FSU.]