The results of many studies indicate that many cytoskeletal proteins interact with lipids, or are regulated by phosphoinositides. Proteins may associate with membranes through specific domains, amphipathic helices and undefined motifs that interact through electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions. The interaction between specific proteins and certain lipids affect stabilization of lipid microdomains, which may provide an anchor for cytoskeletal proteins. In vitro, proteins that sever or depolymerize actin filaments, such as gelsolin, villin, cofilin and profilin, are inactivated by PI(4,5)P2. Conversely, proteins like e.g. vinculin, talin, alpha-actinin, ezrin, N-WASP, WAVE that promote actin polymerization and link actin filaments to each other, are activated by this lipid. The major components of red blood cell membrane skeleton: spectrin and protein 4.1, also their nonerythroid counterparts interact with lipids, and those interactions may be regulated by phosphoinositides.