scholarly journals Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton after microinjection of proteolytic fragments of alpha-actinin.

1991 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
F M Pavalko ◽  
K Burridge
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cytoplasmic Domain ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cell Periphery

Alpha-actinin can be proteolytically cleaved into major fragments of 27 and 53 kD using the enzyme thermolysin. The 27-kD fragment contains an actin-binding site and we have recently shown that the 53-kD fragment binds to the cytoplasmic domain of beta 1 integrin in vitro (Otey, C. A., F. M. Pavalko, and K. Burridge. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 111:721-729). We have explored the behavior of the isolated 27- and 53-kD fragments of alpha-actinin after their microinjection into living cells. Consistent with its containing a binding site for actin, the 27-kD fragment was detected along stress fibers within 10-20 min after injection into rat embryo fibroblasts (REF-52). The 53-kD fragment of alpha-actinin, however, concentrated in focal adhesions of REF-52 cells 10-20 min after injection. The association of this fragment with focal adhesions in vivo is consistent with its interaction in vitro with the cytoplasmic domain of the beta 1 subunit of integrin, which was also localized at these sites. When cells were injected with greater than 5 microM final concentration of either alpha-actinin fragment and cultured for 30-60 min, most stress fibers were disassembled. At this time, however, many of the focal adhesions, particularly those around the cell periphery, remained after most stress fibers had gone. By 2 h after injection only a few small focal adhesions persisted, yet the cells remained spread. Identical results were obtained with other cell types including primary chick fibroblasts, BSC-1, MDCK, and gerbil fibroma cells. Stress fibers and focal adhesions reformed if cells were allowed to recover for 18 h after injection. These data suggest that introduction of the monomeric 27-kD fragment of alpha-actinin into cells may disrupt the actin cytoskeleton by interfering with the function of endogenous, intact alpha-actinin molecules along stress fibers. The 53-kD fragment may interfere with endogenous alpha-actinin function at focal adhesions or by displacing some other component that binds to the rod domain of alpha-actinin and that is needed to maintain stress fiber organization.

scholarly journals mDia1 Targets v-Src to the Cell Periphery and Facilitates Cell Transformation, Tumorigenesis, and Invasion

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (19) ◽  
pp. 4604-4615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Tanji ◽  
Toshimasa Ishizaki ◽  
Saman Ebrahimi ◽  
Yuko Tsuboguchi ◽  
Taiko Sukezane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Morphological Transformation ◽  
Focus Formation

ABSTRACT The small GTPase Rho regulates cell morphogenesis through remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. While Rho is overexpressed in many clinical cancers, the role of Rho signaling in oncogenesis remains unknown. mDia1 is a Rho effector producing straight actin filaments. Here we transduced mouse embryonic fibroblasts from mDia1-deficient mice with temperature-sensitive v-Src and examined the involvement and mechanism of the Rho-mDia1 pathway in Src-induced oncogenesis. We showed that in v-Src-transduced mDia1-deficient cells, formation of actin filaments is suppressed, and v-Src in the perinuclear region does not move to focal adhesions upon a temperature shift. Consequently, membrane translocation of v-Src, v-Src-induced morphological transformation, and podosome formation are all suppressed in mDia1-deficient cells with impaired tyrosine phosphorylation. mDia1-deficient cells show reduced transformation in vitro as examined by focus formation and colony formation in soft agar and exhibit suppressed tumorigenesis and invasion when implanted in nude mice in vivo. Given overexpression of c-Src in various cancers, these findings suggest that Rho-mDia1 signaling facilitates malignant transformation and invasion by manipulating the actin cytoskeleton and targeting Src to the cell periphery.

scholarly journals Identification of a filamin isoform enriched at the ends of stress fibers in chicken embryo fibroblasts

1989 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
F.M. Pavalko ◽  
C.A. Otey ◽  
K. Burridge
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Double Labeling ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Membrane Attachment ◽  
Immunological Crossreactivity

Filamin (actin-binding protein) is a cytoskeletal protein that crosslinks actin filaments in vitro. Filamin is thought to be involved in a variety of cell types in stabilizing actin networks, and in platelets it may play a role in linking actin to the membrane. In this report, we describe a monoclonal antibody (Mab 6E) that was used to immunoprecipitate an isoform of filamin from extracts of chicken fibroblasts revealed an unusual pattern: while other filamin antibodies stained the entire length of stress fibers, the Mab 6E staining was predominantly at the ends of stress fibers. In double-labeling experiments, the distribution of the Mab 6E antigen was found to be strikingly similar to that of alpha-actinin. Mab 6E staining was associated, in part, with focal adhesions, which are sites of actin-membrane attachment. Unlike other focal adhesion proteins, such as vinculin and talin, this filamin isoform is apparently not localized evenly throughout the entire area of adhesion, being absent from or greatly reduced in the distal portion of the area. The Mab 6E antigen was identified as filamin by immunological crossreactivity with a panel of antifilamin monoclonals as well as with a polyclonal anti-filamin. The Mab 6E isoform, however, was found to differ from the major form of filamin both by one-dimensional peptide analysis and slightly slower migration on SDS-containing gels. The Mab 6E antigen was also detected by immunofluorescence in the Z-lines of isolated adult myofibrils. These results suggest that chicken fibroblasts may express different isoforms of filamin that could have specialized roles within the cell.

NUANCE, a giant protein connecting the nucleus and actin cytoskeleton

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (15) ◽  
pp. 3207-3222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Yi Zhen ◽  
Thorsten Libotte ◽  
Martina Munck ◽  
Angelika A. Noegel ◽  
Elena Korenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Domain ◽  
Microfilament System

NUANCE (NUcleus and ActiN Connecting Element) was identified as a novel protein with an α-actinin-like actin-binding domain. A human 21.8 kb cDNA of NUANCE spreads over 373 kb on chromosome 14q22.1-q22.3. The cDNA sequence predicts a 796 kDa protein with an N-terminal actin-binding domain, a central coiled-coil rod domain and a predicted C-terminal transmembrane domain. High levels of NUANCE mRNA were detected in the kidney, liver,stomach, placenta, spleen, lymphatic nodes and peripheral blood lymphocytes. At the subcellular level NUANCE is present predominantly at the outer nuclear membrane and in the nucleoplasm. Domain analysis shows that the actin-binding domain binds to Factin in vitro and colocalizes with the actin cytoskeleton in vivo as a GFP-fusion protein. The C-terminal transmembrane domain is responsible for the targeting the nuclear envelope. Thus, NUANCE is the firstα-actinin-related protein that has the potential to link the microfilament system with the nucleus.

Force-dependent vinculin binding to talin in live cells: a crucial step in anchoring the actin cytoskeleton to focal adhesions

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (6) ◽  
pp. C607-C620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Hirata ◽  
Hitoshi Tatsumi ◽  
Chwee Teck Lim ◽  
Masahiro Sokabe
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Crucial Step

Mechanical forces play a pivotal role in the regulation of focal adhesions (FAs) where the actin cytoskeleton is anchored to the extracellular matrix through integrin and a variety of linker proteins including talin and vinculin. The localization of vinculin at FAs depends on mechanical forces. While in vitro studies have demonstrated the force-induced increase in vinculin binding to talin, it remains unclear whether such a mechanism exists at FAs in vivo. In this study, using fibroblasts cultured on elastic silicone substrata, we have examined the role of forces in modulating talin-vinculin binding at FAs. Stretching the substrata caused vinculin accumulation at talin-containing FAs, and this accumulation was abrogated by expressing the talin-binding domain of vinculin (domain D1, which inhibits endogenous vinculin from binding to talin). These results indicate that mechanical forces loaded to FAs facilitate vinculin binding to talin at FAs. In cell-protruding regions, the actin network moved backward over talin-containing FAs in domain D1-expressing cells while it was anchored to FAs in control cells, suggesting that the force-dependent vinculin binding to talin is crucial for anchoring the actin cytoskeleton to FAs in living cells.

scholarly journals ARHGAP25, a novel Rac GTPase-activating protein, regulates phagocytosis in human neutrophilic granulocytes

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Csépányi-Kömi ◽  
Gábor Sirokmány ◽  
Miklós Geiszt ◽  
Erzsébet Ligeti
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Rac Gtpase

Members of the Rac/Rho family of small GTPases play an essential role in phagocytic cells in organization of the actin cytoskeleton and production of toxic oxygen compounds. GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) decrease the amount of the GTP-bound active form of small GTPases, and contribute to the control of biologic signals. The number of potential Rac/RhoGAPs largely exceeds the number of Rac/Rho GTPases and the expression profile, and their specific role in different cell types is largely unknown. In this study, we report for the first time the properties of full-length ARHGAP25 protein, and show that it is specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells, and acts as a RacGAP both in vitro and in vivo. By silencing and overexpressing the protein in neutrophil model cell lines (PLB-985 and CosPhoxFcγR, respectively) and in primary macrophages, we demonstrate that ARHGAP25 is a negative regulator of phagocytosis acting probably via modulation of the actin cytoskeleton.

scholarly journals Coronin 1C harbours a second actin-binding site that confers co-operative binding to F-actin

2012 ◽  
Vol 444 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keefe T. Chan ◽  
David W. Roadcap ◽  
Nicholas Holoweckyj ◽  
James E. Bear
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Unique Region ◽  
Equivalent Residue ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
Actin Binding Site

Dynamic rearrangement of actin filament networks is critical for cell motility, phagocytosis and endocytosis. Coronins facilitate these processes, in part, by their ability to bind F-actin (filamentous actin). We previously identified a conserved surface-exposed arginine (Arg30) in the β-propeller of Coronin 1B required for F-actin binding in vitro and in vivo. However, whether this finding translates to other coronins has not been well defined. Using quantitative actin-binding assays, we show that mutating the equivalent residue abolishes F-actin binding in Coronin 1A, but not Coronin 1C. By mutagenesis and biochemical competition, we have identified a second actin-binding site in the unique region of Coronin 1C. Interestingly, leading-edge localization of Coronin 1C in fibroblasts requires the conserved site in the β-propeller, but not the site in the unique region. Furthermore, in contrast with Coronin 1A and Coronin 1B, Coronin 1C displays highly co-operative binding to actin filaments. In the present study, we highlight a novel mode of coronin regulation, which has implications for how coronins orchestrate cytoskeletal dynamics.

scholarly journals Syndecan-4 regulates localization, activity and stability of protein kinase C-alpha

2004 ◽  
Vol 378 (3) ◽  
pp. 1007-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunyoung KEUM ◽  
Yeonhee KIM ◽  
Jungyean KIM ◽  
Soojin KWON ◽  
Yangmi LIM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Heparan Sulphate ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Cytoplasmic Domain ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Kinase C

During cell–matrix adhesion, syndecan-4 transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan plays a critical role in the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibres. We have shown previously that the syndecan-4 cytoplasmic domain directly binds to and activates PKC-α (protein kinase C-α) in vitro [Oh, Woods and Couchman (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 8133–8136]. However, whether syndecan-4 has the same activity in vivo needs to be addressed. Using mammalian two-hybrid assays, we showed that syndecan-4 interacted with PKC-α in vivo and that this interaction was mediated through syndecan-4 cytoplasmic domain. Furthermore, the activation of PKC increased the extent of interaction between syndecan-4 and PKC-α. Overexpression of syndecan-4, but not a mutant lacking its cytoplasmic domain, specifically increased the level of endogenous PKC-α and enhanced the translocation of PKC-α into both detergent-insoluble and membrane fractions. In addition, rat embryo fibroblasts overexpressing syndecan-4 exhibited a slowed down-regulation of PKC-α in response either to a prolonged treatment with PMA or to maintaining cells in suspension culture. PKC-α immunocomplex kinase assays also showed that syndecan-4 overexpression increased the activity of membrane PKC-α. Taken together, these results suggest that syndecan-4 interacts with PKC-α in vivo and regulates its localization, activity and stability.

scholarly journals Distinct phospho-forms of cortactin differentially regulate actin polymerization and focal adhesions

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. C1113-C1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Kruchten ◽  
Eugene W. Krueger ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Mark A. McNiven
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly

Cortactin is an actin-binding protein that is overexpressed in many cancers and is a substrate for both tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin has been observed to increase cell motility and invasion in vivo, although it has been reported to have both positive and negative effects on actin polymerization in vitro. In contrast, serine phosphorylation of cortactin has been shown to stimulate actin assembly in vitro. Currently, the effects of cortactin serine phosphorylation on cell migration are unclear, and furthermore, how the distinct phospho-forms of cortactin may differentially contribute to cell migration has not been directly compared. Therefore, we tested the effects of different tyrosine and serine phospho-mutants of cortactin on lamellipodial protrusion, actin assembly within cells, and focal adhesion dynamics. Interestingly, while expression of either tyrosine or serine phospho-mimetic cortactin mutants resulted in increased lamellipodial protrusion and cell migration, these effects appeared to be via distinct processes. Cortactin mutants mimicking serine phosphorylation appeared to predominantly affect actin polymerization, whereas mutation of cortactin tyrosine residues resulted in alterations in focal adhesion turnover. Thus these findings provide novel insights into how distinct phospho-forms of cortactin may differentially contribute to actin and focal adhesion dynamics to control cell migration.

scholarly journals The C-terminal actin binding domain of talin forms an asymmetric catch bond with F-actin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanna M. Owen ◽  
Nick A. Bax ◽  
William I. Weis ◽  
Alexander R. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Optical Trap ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dimerization Domain ◽  
Catch Bond ◽  
Cellular Cytoskeleton

AbstractFocal adhesions (FAs) are large, integrin-based adhesion complexes that link cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Previous work demonstrates that FAs form only when and where they are necessary to transmit force between the cellular cytoskeleton and the ECM, but how this occurs remains poorly understood. Talin is a 270 kDa adapter protein that links integrins to filamentous (F)-actin and recruits additional components during FA assembly in a force-dependent manner. Cell biological and developmental data demonstrate that the third, and C-terminal, F-actin binding site (ABS3) of talin is required for normal FA formation. However, ABS3 binds F-actin only weakly in in vitro, biochemical assays. We used a single-molecule optical trap assay to examine how and whether ABS3 binds F-actin under physiologically relevant, pN mechanical loads. We find that ABS3 forms a directional catch bond with F-actin when force is applied towards the pointed end of the actin filament, with binding lifetimes more than 100-fold longer than when force is applied towards the barbed end. Long-lived bonds to F-actin under load require the ABS3 C-terminal dimerization domain, whose cleavage is known to regulate focal adhesion turnover. Our results support a mechanism in which talin ABS3 preferentially binds and orients actin filaments with barbed ends facing the cell periphery, thus nucleating long-range order in the actin cytoskeleton. We suggest that talin ABS3 may function as a molecular AND gate that allows FA growth only when sufficient integrin density, F-actin polarization, and mechanical tension are simultaneously present.

Villin-induced growth of microvilli is reversibly inhibited by cytochalasin D

1993 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 765-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Friederich ◽  
T.E. Kreis ◽  
D. Louvard
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
Actin Binding Site

Villin is an actin-binding protein that is associated with the cytoskeleton of brush border microvilli. In vitro, villin nucleates, caps or severs actin filaments in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In the absence of Ca2+, villin organizes microfilaments into bundles. Transfection of a villin-specific cDNA into cultured cells that do not produce this protein results in the growth of long surface microvilli and the reorganization of the underlying actin cytoskeleton. Here we studied the effects of low concentrations of cytochalasin D on the induction of these plasma membrane-actin cytoskeleton specializations. Transfected cells were treated with concentrations of cytochalasin D that prevent the association of actin monomers with the fast-growing end of microfilaments in vitro. In villin-positive cells, cytochalasin D inhibited the growth of microvilli and promoted the formation of rodlet-like actin structures, which were randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. The formation of these structures was dependent on large amounts of villin and on the integrity of an actin-binding site located at the carboxy terminus of villin, which is required for microfilament bundling in vitro and for the growth of microvilli in vivo. The effect of cytochalasin D was reversible. The observation of living cells by video-imaging revealed that when cytochalasin D was removed, rapid disassembly of actin rodlets occurred after a lag phase. The present data stress the important role of the plasma membrane in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and suggest that the extension of the microvillar plasma membrane is dependent on the elongation of microfilaments at their fast-growing end. Inhibition of microfilament elongation near the plasma membrane by cytochalasin D may result in the ‘random’ nucleation of actin filaments throughout the cytoplasm. On the basis of the present data, we propose that villin is involved in the assembly of the microvillar actin bundle by a mechanism that does not prevent monomer association with the preferred end of microfilaments. For instance, villin may stabilize actin filaments by lateral interactions. The functional importance of the carboxy-terminal F-actin binding site in such a mechanism is stressed by the fact that it is required for the formation of F-actin rodlets in cytochalasin D-treated cells. Finally, our data further emphasize the observations that the effects of cytochalasin D in living cells can be modulated by actin-binding proteins.

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