scholarly journals Elongation of the fertilization tubule in Chlamydomonas: new observations on the core microfilaments and the effect of transient intracellular signals on their structural integrity.

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 522-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
P A Detmers ◽  
U W Goodenough ◽  
J Condeelis
Keyword(s):  
Mating Type ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Ultrastructural Observation ◽  
Intracellular Signals ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1

Experimental manipulations of gametes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi and ultrastructural observation were used to examine the composition of the microfilaments in the fertilization tubule, their probable mode of formation, and their interaction with intracellular signals. Decoration with myosin subfragment-1 was used to demonstrate that the microfilaments in the fertilization tubule were actin filaments having uniform polarity: Myosin subfragment-1 arrowheads pointed away from the membrane at the tip of the process. Filaments were attached to the cone-shaped "doublet zone" at the base of the process by their pointed ends. Discrete attachment sites for filaments on the surface of the doublet zone were seen in stereo view. To test whether actin polymerization might accompany elongation of the fertilization tubule, mating gametes were exposed to cytochalasin D in an attempt to block actin polymerization. Treatment of mating type "plus" gametes with cytochalasin D prior to and during mating inhibited the appearance of actin filaments in fertilization tubules, suppressed fertilization tubule outgrowth, and lowered mating efficiency from 90 to 15%. The role of signals generated by flagellar adhesion in maintaining the structural integrity of the microfilament-doublet zone complex was examined by correlating flagellar disadhesion with the kinetics of breakdown of the complex. In zygotes, where flagellar disadhesion occurred after cell fusion, the complex disassembled within 3 h after mating. In gametes that had been agglutinated by isolated mating type "minus" flagella, microfilaments and fertilization tubules progressively disassembled over a 3-h time course following flagellar disadhesion. Disassembly of microfilaments was inhibited by maintaining flagellar agglutination, suggesting that signals generated by flagellar adhesion were necessary to maintain microfilaments intact.

Structure of Myosin Subfragment-1 from Electron Microscopy and Crystallography

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
Donald A. Winkelmann
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Myosin Filament ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Heavy Chains ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1 ◽  
Globular Head

The primary role of the interaction of actin and myosin is the generation of force and motion as a direct consequence of the cyclic interaction of myosin crossbridges with actin filaments. Myosin is composed of six polypeptides: two heavy chains of molecular weight 220,000 daltons and two pairs of light chains of molecular weight 17,000-23,000. The C-terminal portions of the myosin heavy chains associate to form an α-helical coiled-coil rod which is responsible for myosin filament formation. The N-terminal portion of each heavy chain associates with two different light chains to form a globular head that binds actin and hydrolyses ATP. Myosin can be fragmented by limited proteolysis into several structural and functional domains. It has recently been demonstrated using an in vitro movement assay that the globular head domain, subfragment-1, is sufficient to cause sliding movement of actin filaments.The discovery of conditions for crystallization of the myosin subfragment-1 (S1) has led to a systematic analysis of S1 structure by x-ray crystallography and electron microscopy. Image analysis of electron micrographs of thin sections of small S1 crystals has been used to determine the structure of S1 in the crystal lattice.

Myosin subfragment 1 binding to relaxed actin filaments and steric model of relaxation

Biochemistry ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Murray ◽  
Annemarie Weber ◽  
Mary K. Knox
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1

scholarly journals Regulation of the acto·myosin subfragment 1 interaction by troponin/tropomyosin. Evidence for control of a specific isomerization between two acto·myosin subfragment 1 states

1991 ◽  
Vol 279 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F A McKillop ◽  
M A Geeves
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Thin Filaments ◽  
Closed State ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Actomyosin Interaction ◽  
Binding Isotherms ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1 ◽  
Site Binding

The co-operative binding of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) to reconstituted skeletal-muscle thin filaments has been examined by monitoring the fluorescence of a pyrene probe on Cys-374 of actin. The degree of co-operativity differs when phosphate, sulphate or ADP are bound to the S1 active site. Binding isotherms have been analysed according to the Geeves & Halsall [(1987) Biophys. J. 52, 215-220] model, which proposed that troponin and tropomyosin effected regulation of the actomyosin interaction by controlling an isomerization of the actomyosin complex. The data support the proposal that seven actin monomers associated with a single tropomyosin molecule act as a co-operative unit that can be in one of two states. In the ‘closed’ state myosin can bind to actin, but the subsequent isomerization is prevented. The isomerization is only allowed after the seven-actin unit is in the ‘open’ form. Ca2+ controls the proportion of actin filaments in the ‘closed’ and ‘open’ forms in the absence of myosin heads. The ratio of ‘closed’ to ‘open’ forms is approx. 50:1 in the absence of Ca2+ and 5:1 in its presence.

Mechanism of actin polymerization by myosin subfragment-1 probed by dynamic light scattering

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Galińska-Rakoczy ◽  
Barbara Jachimska ◽  
H. Strzelecka-Gołaszewska
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Dynamic Light Scattering ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1

scholarly journals Sound attenuation of polymerizing actin reflects supramolecular structures: viscoelastic properties of actin gels modified by cytochalasin D, profilin and α-actinin

2001 ◽  
Vol 355 (3) ◽  
pp. 771-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver WAGNER ◽  
Herwig SCHÜLER ◽  
Peter HOFMANN ◽  
David LANGER ◽  
Peter DANCKER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sound Velocity ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Supramolecular Structures ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Acoustic Attenuation ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Actin Concentration

Polymerization and depolymerization of cytoskeletal elements maintaining cytoplasmic stiffness are key factors in the control of cell crawling. Rheometry is a significant tool in determining the mechanical properties of the single elements in vitro. Viscoelasticity of gels formed by these polymers strongly depends on both the length and the associations of the filaments (e.g. entanglements, annealings and side-by-side associations). Ultrasound attenuation is related to viscosity, sound velocity and supramolecular structures in the sample. In combination with a small glass fibre (2mm×50µm), serving as a viscosity sensor, an acoustic microscope was used to measure the elasticity and acoustic attenuation of actin solutions. Changes in acoustic attenuation of polymerizing actin by far exceed the values expected from calculations based on changes in viscosity and sound velocity. During the lag-phase of actin polymerization, attenuation slightly decreases, depending on actin concentration. After the half-maximum viscosity is accomplished and elasticity turns into steady state, attenuation distinctly rises. Changes in ultrasound attenuation depend on actin concentration, and they are modulated by the addition of α-actinin, cytochalasin D and profilin. Thus absorption and scattering of sound on the polymerization of actin is related to the packing density of the actin net, entanglements and the length of the actin filaments. Shortening of actin filaments by cytochalasin D was also confirmed by electron micrographs and falling-ball viscosimetry. In addition to viscosity and elasticity, the attenuation of sound proved to be a valuable parameter in characterizing actin polymerization and the supramolecular associations of F-actin.

scholarly journals The visualization of actin filament polarity in thin sections. Evidence for the uniform polarity of membrane-associated filaments.

1978 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 846-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
D A Begg ◽  
R Rodewald ◽  
L I Rebhun
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Improved Method ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Brush Borders ◽  
Nonmuscle Cells ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1 ◽  
Uniform Polarity

We have developed an improved method for visualizing actin filament polarity in thin sections. Myosin subfragment-1 (S-1)-decorated actin filaments display a dramatically enhanced arrowhead configuration when fixed in a medium which contains 0.2 % tannic acid. With the exception of brush borders from intestinal epithelial cells, the arrowhead periodicity of decorated filaments in a variety of nonmuscle cells is similar to that in isolated myofibrils. The periodicity of decorated filaments in brush borders is significantly smaller. Actin filaments which attach to membranes display a clear, uniform polarity, with the S-1 arrowheads pointing away from the plasma membrane, while those which comprise the stress fibers of myoblasts and CHO cells have antiparallel polarities. These observations are consistent with a sliding filament mechanism of cell motility.

Elongation of cytoplasmic processes during gametic mating: Models for actin-based motility

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Detmers
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cellular Motility ◽  
Intracellular Signals ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Cytoplasmic Processes ◽  
Uniform Polarity

The acrosomal processes of Thyone and Limulus sperm and the fertilization tubule of mt+ gametes of Chlamydomonas are interesting models for actin-based motility. Each is a long thin process that elongates rapidly and contains a core of actin filaments having uniform polarity: arrowheads formed by myosin subfragments point toward the base of the processes. In Limulus, directed outgrowth of the acrosomal process is achieved by a rearrangement in the packing of superhelically coiled actin filaments that form during spermatogenesis. In contrast, outgrowth of the acrosomal process in Thyone and the fertilization tubule in Chlamydomonas is accompanied by actin polymerization. Both Thyone and Chlamydomonas possess structures, the actomere and the doublet zone, respectively, that serve as microfilament organizing centers, nucleating actin polymerization and defining the polarity of the growing filaments. Alkalinization of the cytoplasm may promote polymerization of actin in Thyone, whereas an apparent rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is associated with the transmission of intracellular signals during mating in Chlamydomonas. Further examination of these three actin-based motile systems should provide new insights into the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton, a process critical for many forms of nonmuscle cellular motility.

Subtilisin-cleaved actin: polymerization and interaction with myosin subfragment 1

Biochemistry ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 5889-5895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Schwyter ◽  
Martin Phillips ◽  
Emil Reisler
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Subfragment ◽  
Myosin Subfragment 1
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