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Fig. 3. (A) Post sealing repair of wound-related damage to the cortical F-actin
network. A Xenopus oocyte injected with fluorescent actin was wounded
(circular profile) with a laser and then imaged at intervals of 3 minutes. An
intensely labeled zone of F-actin assembly is seen around the wound site in
the first panel and, in subsequent panels, is seen to contract,
purse-string-style, restoring continuity to the cortical actin network. (B)
Experimental analysis of the zone of actin polymerization indicates that it
contains at its interface with the wound site a `contractile array' consisting
of F-actin and myosin 2. Finger-like, polymerization-dependent protrusions of
F-actin extend into the wound site and may facilitate final closure.
(Micrographs and drawing courtesy of C. Mandato and W. Bement, University of
Wisconsin.)
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