scholarly journals Slow and steady wins the race: encounters of myosin-5 and myosin-6 on shared actin filaments

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Santos ◽  
Joanna Kalita ◽  
Ronald S. Rock
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
Pointed End

AbstractIn the cellular environment multiple myosins use the same filamentous actin (F-actin) tracks, yet little is known about how this track sharing is achieved and maintained. To assess the influence that different myosin classes have on each other, we developed an assay that combines two dynamic elements: elongating actin filaments with identified barbed and pointed ends, and myosins moving along these filaments. We studied two different myosins, myosin-5 and myosin-6. These myosins have distinct functions in the cell and are known to travel in opposite directions along actin filaments. Myosin-5 walks towards the barbed end of F-actin and generally into dynamically rearranging actin at the cell periphery. Myosin-6 is a pointed-end directed myosin that generally walks towards the cell center. We successfully reconstituted simultaneous bidirectional motility of myosin-5 and myosin-6 on single polymerizing filaments of actin. We report and provide statistical analysis of encounters between myosin-5 and myosin-6 walking along the single filaments. When myosin-5 and myosin-6 collide, myosin-5 detaches more frequently than myosin-6. The experimental observations are consistent with a stochastic stepping model based upon known myosin kinetics, which suggests that faster motors are more likely to detach.

scholarly journals The elusive actin cytoskeleton of a green alga expressing both conventional and divergent actins

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (22) ◽  
pp. 2827-2837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan W. Craig ◽  
David M. Mueller ◽  
Brae M. Bigge ◽  
Miroslava Schaffer ◽  
Benjamin D. Engel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Alga ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
Actin Structure ◽  
Actin Isoform ◽  
Labeling Method

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a leading model system to study photosynthesis, cilia, and the generation of biological products. The cytoskeleton plays important roles in all of these cellular processes, but to date, the filamentous actin network within Chlamydomonas has remained elusive. By optimizing labeling conditions, we can now visualize distinct linear actin filaments at the posterior of the nucleus in both live and fixed vegetative cells. Using in situ cryo-electron tomography, we confirmed this localization by directly imaging actin filaments within the native cellular environment. The fluorescently labeled structures are sensitive to the depolymerizing agent latrunculin B (Lat B), demonstrating the specificity of our optimized labeling method. Interestingly, Lat B treatment resulted in the formation of a transient ring-like filamentous actin structure around the nucleus. The assembly of this perinuclear ring is dependent upon a second actin isoform, NAP1, which is strongly up-regulated upon Lat B treatment and is insensitive to Lat B–induced depolymerization. Our study combines orthogonal strategies to provide the first detailed visual characterization of filamentous actins in Chlamydomonas, allowing insights into the coordinated functions of two actin isoforms expressed within the same cell.

scholarly journals The elusive actin cytoskeleton of a green alga expressing both conventional and divergent actins

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan W. Craig ◽  
David M. Mueller ◽  
Miroslava Schaffer ◽  
Benjamin D. Engel ◽  
Prachee Avasthi
Keyword(s):  
Green Alga ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
Actin Structure ◽  
Actin Isoform ◽  
Labeling Method

AbstractThe green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a leading model system to study photosynthesis, cilia, and the generation of biological products. The cytoskeleton plays important roles in all of these cellular processes, but to date, the filamentous actin network within Chlamydomonas has remained elusive. By optimizing labeling conditions, we can now visualize distinct linear actin filaments at the posterior of the nucleus in both live and fixed vegetative cells. Using in situ cryo-electron tomography, we confirmed this localization by directly imaging actin filaments within the native cellular environment. The fluorescently-labeled structures are sensitive to the depolymerizing agent Latrunculin B (Lat B), demonstrating the specificity of our optimized labeling method. Interestingly, Lat B treatment resulted in the formation of a transient ring-like filamentous actin structure around the nucleus. The assembly of this perinuclear ring is dependent upon a second actin isoform, NAP1, which is strongly upregulated upon Lat B treatment and is insensitive to Lat B-induced depolymerization. Our study combines orthogonal strategies to provide the first detailed visual characterization of filamentous actins in Chlamydomonas, allowing insights into the coordinated functions of two actin isoforms expressed within the same cell.

Myofibrillar degeneration with diphtheria toxin

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-357
Author(s):  
Bilge Özerman Edis ◽  
Muhammet Bektaş ◽  
Rüstem Nurten
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Diphtheria Toxin ◽  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Bacterial Toxin ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Tissue Samples

AbstractObjectivesCardiac damage in patient with diphtheritic myocarditis is reported as the leading cause of mortality. Diphtheria toxin (DTx) is a well-known bacterial toxin inducing various cytotoxic effects. Mainly, catalytic fragment inhibits protein synthesis, induces cytotoxicity, and depolymerizes actin filaments. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the extent of myofibrillar damage under DTx treatment to porcine cardiac tissue samples.MethodsTissue samples were incubated with DTx for 1–3 h in culture conditions. To analyze whole toxin (both fragments) distribution, conjugation of DTx with FITC was performed. Measurements were carried out with fluorescence spectrophotometer before and after dialysis. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to show localization of DTx-FITC (15 nM) on cardiac tissue incubated for 2 h. Ultrastructural characterization of cardiac tissue samples treated with DTx (15 or 150 nM) was performed with transmission electron microscopy.ResultsDTx exerts myofibrillar disorganization. Myofilament degeneration, mitochondrial damage, vacuolization, and abundant lipid droplets were determined with 150 nM of DTx treatment.ConclusionsThis finding is an addition to depolymerization of actin filaments as a result of the DTx-actin interactions in in vitro conditions, indicating that myofilament damage can occur with DTx directly besides protein synthesis inhibition. Ultrastructural results support the importance of filamentous actin degeneration at diphtheritic myocarditis.

Purification and characterization of a nonpolymerizing long-pitch actin dimer

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Braden Sweeting ◽  
John F. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Crystallization Conditions ◽  
Self Association ◽  
Pointed End

Atomic resolution structures of filamentous actin have not been obtained owing to the self-association of actin under crystallization conditions. Obtaining short filamentous actin complexes of defined lengths is therefore a highly desirable goal. Here we report the production and isolation of a long-pitch actin dimer employing chemical crosslinking between wild-type actin and Q41C/C374A mutant actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin possessed altered polymerization properties, with a 2-fold reduction in the rate of elongation and an increased critical concentration relative to wild-type actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin also displayed an increase in the IC50 for DNase I, a pointed-end actin-binding protein. The long-pitch dimer was bound by DNase I to prevent polymerization and purified. It was found that each actin dimer is bound by 2 DNase I molecules, 1 likely bound to each of the actin protomers. The long-pitch dimer bound by DNase I did not form short F actin structures, as assessed by the binding of rhodamine–phalloidin.

scholarly journals αE-catenin actin-binding domain alters actin filament conformation and regulates binding of nucleation and disassembly factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 3710-3720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Hansen ◽  
Adam V. Kwiatkowski ◽  
Chung-Yueh Ouyang ◽  
HongJun Liu ◽  
Sabine Pokutta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Filament Structure ◽  
Actin Binding Domain ◽  
Filament Bundles ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Cell

The actin-binding protein αE-catenin may contribute to transitions between cell migration and cell–cell adhesion that depend on remodeling the actin cytoskeleton, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We show that the αE-catenin actin-binding domain (ABD) binds cooperatively to individual actin filaments and that binding is accompanied by a conformational change in the actin protomer that affects filament structure. αE-catenin ABD binding limits barbed-end growth, especially in actin filament bundles. αE-catenin ABD inhibits actin filament branching by the Arp2/3 complex and severing by cofilin, both of which contact regions of the actin protomer that are structurally altered by αE-catenin ABD binding. In epithelial cells, there is little correlation between the distribution of αE-catenin and the Arp2/3 complex at developing cell–cell contacts. Our results indicate that αE-catenin binding to filamentous actin favors assembly of unbranched filament bundles that are protected from severing over more dynamic, branched filament arrays.

scholarly journals Coupled myosin VI motors facilitate unidirectional movement on an F-actin network

2009 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan ◽  
James A. Spudich
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Myosin Vi ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Actin Cortex ◽  
Unidirectional Movement ◽  
Transport Vesicle ◽  
Pointed End

Unconventional myosins interact with the dense cortical actin network during processes such as membrane trafficking, cell migration, and mechanotransduction. Our understanding of unconventional myosin function is derived largely from assays that examine the interaction of a single myosin with a single actin filament. In this study, we have developed a model system to study the interaction between multiple tethered unconventional myosins and a model F-actin cortex, namely the lamellipodium of a migrating fish epidermal keratocyte. Using myosin VI, which moves toward the pointed end of actin filaments, we directly determine the polarity of the extracted keratocyte lamellipodium from the cell periphery to the cell nucleus. We use a combination of experimentation and simulation to demonstrate that multiple myosin VI molecules can coordinate to efficiently transport vesicle-size cargo over 10 µm of the dense interlaced actin network. Furthermore, several molecules of monomeric myosin VI, which are nonprocessive in single molecule assays, can coordinate to transport cargo with similar speeds as dimers.

scholarly journals Optimized fixation of actin filaments for improved indirect immunofluorescence staining of rickettsiae

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Danchenko ◽  
Lucia Csaderova ◽  
Pierre Edouard Fournier ◽  
Zuzana Sekeyova
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Immunofluorescence Staining ◽  
Sensitive Detection ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence Staining ◽  
Accurate Imaging

Abstract Objective The objective was to investigate fixative solutions: 3.7% formaldehyde, 4% paraformaldehyde, 4% paraformaldehyde in the cytoskeletal buffer and 4% paraformaldehyde in PHEM buffer (containing PIPES, HEPES, EGTA and MgCl2), applicable for immunofluorescence assay. Results Herein we optimized this serological technique, testing four fixative solutions, for the sensitive detection of rickettsial antigens, and preservation of intracellular structures of the host cells, particularly filamentous actin. Rickettsial antigens were presented equally well both with formaldehyde and all paraformaldehyde-based fixations, but only protocol with 4% paraformaldehyde in PHEM buffer allowed accurate imaging of actin filaments, and simultaneously allows monitoring of rickettsiae using actin-based motility during infection inside the host cells.

scholarly journals Tropomodulin caps the pointed ends of actin filaments.

1994 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 1627-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Weber ◽  
C R Pennise ◽  
G G Babcock ◽  
V M Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Thin Filaments ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Pointed End ◽  
A Site

Many proteins have been shown to cap the fast growing (barbed) ends of actin filaments, but none have been shown to block elongation and depolymerization at the slow growing (pointed) filament ends. Tropomodulin is a tropomyosin-binding protein originally isolated from red blood cells that has been localized by immunofluorescence staining to a site at or near the pointed ends of skeletal muscle thin filaments (Fowler, V. M., M. A., Sussman, P. G. Miller, B. E. Flucher, and M. P. Daniels. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 120: 411-420). Our experiments demonstrate that tropomodulin in conjunction with tropomyosin is a pointed end capping protein: it completely blocks both elongation and depolymerization at the pointed ends of tropomyosin-containing actin filaments in concentrations stoichiometric to the concentration of filament ends (Kd < or = 1 nM). In the absence of tropomyosin, tropomodulin acts as a "leaky" cap, partially inhibiting elongation and depolymerization at the pointed filament ends (Kd for inhibition of elongation = 0.1-0.4 microM). Thus, tropomodulin can bind directly to actin at the pointed filament end. Tropomodulin also doubles the critical concentration at the pointed ends of pure actin filaments without affecting either the rate of extent of polymerization at the barbed filament ends, indicating that tropomodulin does not sequester actin monomers. Our experiments provide direct biochemical evidence that tropomodulin binds to both the terminal tropomyosin and actin molecules at the pointed filament end, and is the long sought-after pointed end capping protein. We propose that tropomodulin plays a role in maintaining the narrow length distributions of the stable, tropomyosin-containing actin filaments in striated muscle and in red blood cells.

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