Actin is among the most highly abundant and ubiquitous proteins in eukaryotic cells.
The structure, dynamics and functional diversity of actin have continued to mesmerise
cell and molecular biologists, biophysicists and physiologists for more than three
quarters of a century. The discovery and initial characterization of actin, which
took place in the laboratory of Albert Szent-Györgyi by Ilona Banga and Brúnó F. Straub
during the second world war in Hungary, is a remarkable and inspiring moment in the
history of science. Many of the early thoughts and ideas on the properties and functions
of actin and particularly actomyosin, which are referred to in this short historical
overview, resonate freshly even today.
