scholarly journals Baculovirus AC102 is a nucleocapsid protein that is crucial for nuclear actin polymerization and nucleocapsid morphogenesis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Hepp ◽  
Gina M. Borgo ◽  
Simina Ticau ◽  
Taro Ohkawa ◽  
Matthew D. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Nucleocapsid Protein ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Autographa Californica ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Late Infection ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACTThe baculovirusAutographa californicamultiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), the type species of alphabaculoviruses, is an enveloped DNA virus that infects lepidopteran insects and is commonly known as a vector for protein expression and cell transduction. AcMNPV belongs to a diverse group of viral and bacterial pathogens that target the host cell actin cytoskeleton during infection. AcMNPV is unusual, however, in that it absolutely requires actin translocation into the nucleus early in infection, and actin polymerization within the nucleus late in infection coincident with viral replication. Of the six viral factors that are sufficient, when coexpressed, to induce the nuclear localization of actin, only AC102 is essential for viral replication and the nuclear accumulation of actin. We therefore sought to better understand the role of AC102 in actin mobilization in the nucleus early and late in infection. Although AC102 was thought to function early in infection, we found that AC102 is predominantly expressed as a late protein. In addition, we observed that AC102 is required for F-actin assembly in the nucleus during late infection, as well as for proper formation of viral replication structures and nucleocapsid morphogenesis. Finally, we found that AC102 is a nucleocapsid protein and a newly recognized member of a complex consisting of the viral proteins EC27, C42, and the actin polymerization protein P78/83. Taken together, our findings suggest that AC102 is necessary for nucleocapsid morphogenesis and actin assembly during late infection through its role as a component of the P78/83-C42-EC27-AC102 protein complex.IMPORTANCEThe baculovirusAutographa californicamultiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is an important biotechnological tool for protein expression and cell transduction, and related nucleopolyhedroviruses are also employed as environmentally benign insecticides. One impact of our work is to better understand the fundamental mechanisms through which AcMNPV exploits the cellular machinery of the host for replication, which may aid in the development of improved baculovirus-based research and industrial tools. Moreover, AcMNPV’s ability to mobilize the host actin cytoskeleton within the cell’s nucleus during infection makes it a powerful cell biological tool. It is becoming increasingly clear that actin plays important roles in the cell’s nucleus, yet the regulation and function of nuclear actin is poorly understood. Our work to better understand how AcMNPV relocalizes and polymerizes actin within the nucleus may reveal fundamental mechanisms that govern nuclear actin regulation and function, even in the absence of viral infection.

scholarly journals Baculovirus AC102 Is a Nucleocapsid Protein That Is Crucial for Nuclear Actin Polymerization and Nucleocapsid Morphogenesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Hepp ◽  
Gina M. Borgo ◽  
Simina Ticau ◽  
Taro Ohkawa ◽  
Matthew D. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Nucleocapsid Protein ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Autographa Californica ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Late Infection ◽  
And Function ◽  
Autographa Californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus

ABSTRACTThe baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), the type species of alphabaculoviruses, is an enveloped DNA virus that infects lepidopteran insects and is commonly known as a vector for protein expression and cell transduction. AcMNPV belongs to a diverse group of viral and bacterial pathogens that target the host cell actin cytoskeleton during infection. AcMNPV is unusual, however, in that it absolutely requires actin translocation into the nucleus early in infection and actin polymerization within the nucleus late in infection coincident with viral replication. Of the six viral factors that are sufficient, when coexpressed, to induce the nuclear localization of actin, only AC102 is essential for viral replication and the nuclear accumulation of actin. We therefore sought to better understand the role of AC102 in actin mobilization in the nucleus early and late in infection. Although AC102 was proposed to function early in infection, we found that AC102 is predominantly expressed as a late protein. In addition, we observed that AC102 is required for F-actin assembly in the nucleus during late infection, as well as for proper formation of viral replication structures and nucleocapsid morphogenesis. Finally, we found that AC102 is a nucleocapsid protein and a newly recognized member of a complex consisting of the viral proteins EC27, C42, and the actin polymerization protein P78/83. Taken together, our findings suggest that AC102 is necessary for nucleocapsid morphogenesis and actin assembly during late infection through its role as a component of the P78/83-C42-EC27-AC102 protein complex.IMPORTANCEThe baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is an important biotechnological tool for protein expression and cell transduction, and related nucleopolyhedroviruses are also used as environmentally benign insecticides. One impact of our work is to better understand the fundamental mechanisms through which AcMNPV exploits the cellular machinery of the host for replication, which may aid in the development of improved baculovirus-based research and industrial tools. Moreover, AcMNPV's ability to mobilize the host actin cytoskeleton within the cell's nucleus during infection makes it a powerful cell biological tool. It is becoming increasingly clear that actin plays important roles in the cell's nucleus, and yet the regulation and function of nuclear actin is poorly understood. Our work to better understand how AcMNPV relocalizes and polymerizes actin within the nucleus may reveal fundamental mechanisms that govern nuclear actin regulation and function, even in the absence of viral infection.

scholarly journals Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus Nucleocapsid Protein BV/ODV-C42 Mediates the Nuclear Entry of P78/83

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 4554-4561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Wang ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Changyong Liang ◽  
Jianhua Song ◽  
Ni Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleocapsid Protein ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Autographa Californica ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Conserved Gene ◽  
Viral Nucleocapsid

ABSTRACT Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) BV/ODV-c42 (orf101; c42), which encodes a 41.5-kDa viral nucleocapsid protein with a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) motif at the C terminus, is a highly conserved gene among members of the Baculoviridae family. C42 is demonstrated to be essential for AcMNPV propagation and can bind to nucleocapsid protein P78/83, a viral activator for the actin-related protein 2/3 (ARP2/3) complex to initiate nuclear actin polymerization, which is essential for viral nucleocapsid morphogenesis during AcMNPV infection. Here, we report the identification of a novel pathway through which c42 functions in nucleocapsid assembly. Cotransfection of Sf9 cells with c42 and p78/83 plasmids demonstrated that C42 was capable of recruiting P78/83 to the nuclei of uninfected cells and that the NLS motif of C42 was essential for this process. To validate this nuclear relocation mode in bacmid-transfected cells, a c42-disrupted bacmid (vAcc42ko-gfp) and rescued bacmids with wild-type c42 (vAcc42res-gfp) or with NLS coding sequence-mutated c42 (vAcc42nls-gfp) were prepared. By immuno-staining, P78/83 was found to be localized in the cytoplasm of either vAcc42ko-gfp- or vAcc42nls-gfp-transfected cells, whereas P78/83 was relocated to the nuclei of vAcc42res-gfp-transfected cells. Furthermore, F-actin-specific staining confirmed that there was no actin polymerization activity in the nuclei of either vAcc42ko-gfp- or vAcc42nls-gfp-transfected cells, which might be attributed to the absence of nuclear P78/83, an activator of the ARP2/3 complex to initiate nuclear actin polymerization. We therefore hypothesize a mode of action where C42 binds to P78/83 in the cytoplasm to form a protein complex and cotransports to the nucleus under the direction of the NLS motif in C42 during AcMNPV infection.

scholarly journals Coordinated regulation of platelet actin filament barbed ends by gelsolin and capping protein.

1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Barkalow ◽  
W Witke ◽  
D J Kwiatkowski ◽  
J H Hartwig
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Residual Activity ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Capping Proteins ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Human And Mouse

Exposure of cryptic actin filament fast growing ends (barbed ends) initiates actin polymerization in stimulated human and mouse platelets. Gelsolin amplifies platelet actin assembly by severing F-actin and increasing the number of barbed ends. Actin filaments in stimulated platelets from transgenic gelsolin-null mice elongate their actin without severing. F-actin barbed end capping activity persists in human platelet extracts, depleted of gelsolin, and the heterodimeric capping protein (CP) accounts for this residual activity. 35% of the approximately 5 microM CP is associated with the insoluble actin cytoskeleton of the resting platelet. Since resting platelets have an F-actin barbed end concentration of approximately 0.5 microM, sufficient CP is bound to cap these ends. CP is released from OG-permeabilized platelets by treatment with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or through activation of the thrombin receptor. However, the fraction of CP bound to the actin cytoskeleton of thrombin-stimulated mouse and human platelets increases rapidly to approximately 60% within 30 s. In resting platelets from transgenic mice lacking gelsolin, which have 33% more F-actin than gelsolin-positive cells, there is a corresponding increase in the amount of CP associated with the resting cytoskeleton but no change with stimulation. These findings demonstrate an interaction between the two major F-actin barbed end capping proteins of the platelet: gelsolin-dependent severing produces barbed ends that are capped by CP. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate release of gelsolin and CP from platelet cytoskeleton provides a mechanism for mediating barbed end exposure. After actin assembly, CP reassociates with the new actin cytoskeleton.

scholarly journals A new form of actin assembly around the Shigella-containing vacuole regulates its intracellular niche

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Kühn ◽  
John Bergqvist ◽  
Laura Barrio ◽  
Stephanie Lebreton ◽  
Chiara Zurzolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Host Recognition ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Actin Structure ◽  
New Form ◽  
Structure And Functions

SUMMARYThe enteroinvasive bacterium Shigella flexneri forces its uptake into non-phagocytic host cells through the translocation of T3SS effectors that subvert the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report de novo actin polymerization after cellular entry around the bacterial containing vacuole (BCV) leading to the formation of a dynamic actin cocoon. This cocoon is thicker than any described cellular actin structure and functions as a gatekeeper for the cytosolic access of the pathogen. Host Cdc42, Toca-1, N-WASP, WIP, the Arp2/3 complex, cortactin, coronin, and cofilin are recruited to the actin cocoon. They are subverted by T3SS effectors, such as IpgD, IpgB1, and IcsB. IcsB immobilizes components of the actin polymerization machinery at the BCV. This represents a novel microbial subversion strategy through localized entrapment of host actin regulators causing massive actin assembly. We propose that the cocoon protects Shigella’s niche from canonical maturation or host recognition.

scholarly journals Ac102 Participates in Nuclear Actin Polymerization by Modulating BV/ODV-C42 Ubiquitination during Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus Infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongli Zhang ◽  
Xue Hu ◽  
Jingfang Mu ◽  
Yangyang Hu ◽  
Yuan Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Proteasomal Degradation ◽  
Autographa Californica ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Regulatory Cascade ◽  
Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus ◽  
Nucleation Promoting Factor ◽  
Autographa Californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus

ABSTRACTAs a virus-encoded actin nucleation promoting factor (NPF), P78/83 induces actin polymerization to assist in Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) propagation. According to our previous study, although P78/83 actively undergoes ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation, AcMNPV encodes budded virus/occlusion derived virus (BV/ODV)-C42 (C42), which allows P78/83 to function as a stable NPF by inhibiting its degradation during viral infection. However, whether there are other viral proteins involved in regulating P78/83-induced actin polymerization has yet to be determined. In this study, we found that Ac102, an essential viral gene product previously reported to play a key role in mediating the nuclear accumulation of actin during AcMNPV infection, is a novel regulator of P78/83-induced actin polymerization. By characterizing anac102knockout bacmid, we demonstrated that Ac102 participates in regulating nuclear actin polymerization as well as the morphogenesis and distribution of capsid structures in the nucleus. These regulatory effects are heavily dependent on an interaction between Ac102 and C42. Further investigation revealed that Ac102 binds to C42 to suppress K48-linked ubiquitination of C42, which decreases C42 proteasomal degradation and consequently allows P78/83 to function as a stable NPF to induce actin polymerization. Thus, Ac102 and C42 form a regulatory cascade to control viral NPF activity, representing a sophisticated mechanism for AcMNPV to orchestrate actin polymerization in both a ubiquitin-dependent and ubiquitin-independent manner.IMPORTANCEActin is one of the most functionally important proteins in eukaryotic cells. Morphologically, actin can be found in two forms: a monomeric form called globular actin (G-actin) and a polymeric form called filamentous actin (F-actin). G-actin can polymerize to form F-actin, and nucleation promoting factor (NPF) is the initiator of this process. Many viral pathogens harness the host actin polymerization machinery to assist in virus propagation. Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) induces actin polymerization in host cells. P78/83, a viral NPF, is responsible for this process. Previously, we identified that BV/ODV-C42 (C42) binds to P78/83 and protects it from degradation. In this report, we determined that another viral protein, Ac102, is involved in modulating C42 ubiquitination and, consequently, ensures P78/83 activity as an NPF to initiate actin polymerization. This regulatory cascade represents a novel mechanism by which a virus can harness the cellular actin cytoskeleton to assist in viral propagation.

scholarly journals Alix Protein Is Substrate of Ozz-E3 Ligase and Modulates Actin Remodeling in Skeletal Muscle

2012 ◽  
Vol 287 (15) ◽  
pp. 12159-12171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Bongiovanni ◽  
Daniele P. Romancino ◽  
Yvan Campos ◽  
Gaetano Paterniti ◽  
Xiaohui Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
E3 Ligase ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Endogenous Proteins ◽  
And Function

Alix/AIP1 is a multifunctional adaptor protein that participates in basic cellular processes, including membrane trafficking and actin cytoskeleton assembly, by binding selectively to a variety of partner proteins. However, the mechanisms regulating Alix turnover, subcellular distribution, and function in muscle cells are unknown. We now report that Alix is expressed in skeletal muscle throughout myogenic differentiation. In myotubes, a specific pool of Alix colocalizes with Ozz, the substrate-binding component of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase complex Ozz-E3. We found that interaction of the two endogenous proteins in the differentiated muscle fibers changes Alix conformation and promotes its ubiquitination. This in turn regulates the levels of the protein in specific subcompartments, in particular the one containing the actin polymerization factor cortactin. In Ozz−/− myotubes, the levels of filamentous (F)-actin is perturbed, and Alix accumulates in large puncta positive for cortactin. In line with this observation, we show that the knockdown of Alix expression in C2C12 muscle cells affects the amount and distribution of F-actin, which consequently leads to changes in cell morphology, impaired formation of sarcolemmal protrusions, and defective cell motility. These findings suggest that the Ozz-E3 ligase regulates Alix at sites where the actin cytoskeleton undergoes remodeling.

scholarly journals The Actin-Driven Movement and Formation of Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters

2000 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 1321-1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengshan Dai ◽  
Xiaoyan Luo ◽  
Hongbo Xie ◽  
H. Benjamin Peng
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptor ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Achr Cluster ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Receptor Clusters

A new method was devised to visualize actin polymerization induced by postsynaptic differentiation signals in cultured muscle cells. This entails masking myofibrillar filamentous (F)-actin with jasplakinolide, a cell-permeant F-actin–binding toxin, before synaptogenic stimulation, and then probing new actin assembly with fluorescent phalloidin. With this procedure, actin polymerization associated with newly induced acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering by heparin-binding growth-associated molecule–coated beads and by agrin was observed. The beads induced local F-actin assembly that colocalized with AChR clusters at bead–muscle contacts, whereas both the actin cytoskeleton and AChR clusters induced by bath agrin application were diffuse. By expressing a green fluorescent protein–coupled version of cortactin, a protein that binds to active F-actin, the dynamic nature of the actin cytoskeleton associated with new AChR clusters was revealed. In fact, the motive force generated by actin polymerization propelled the entire bead-induced AChR cluster with its attached bead to move in the plane of the membrane. In addition, actin polymerization is also necessary for the formation of both bead and agrin-induced AChR clusters as well as phosphotyrosine accumulation, as shown by their blockage by latrunculin A, a toxin that sequesters globular (G)-actin and prevents F-actin assembly. These results show that actin polymerization induced by synaptogenic signals is necessary for the movement and formation of AChR clusters and implicate a role of F-actin as a postsynaptic scaffold for the assembly of structural and signaling molecules in neuromuscular junction formation.

Cross-Talk between Rho GTPases Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton and Chemotaxis of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 266-266
Author(s):  
Hee-Don Chae ◽  
Katherine E. Lee ◽  
Aparna C. Jasti ◽  
David A. Williams ◽  
Yi Gu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Movement of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells into (engraftment) and out of (mobilization) the bone marrow involves actin cytoskeleton and chemotaxis. Members of the Rho GTPase family have been well known for their critical roles in morphogenesis and cell migration via regulating actin assembly. Loss of Rac1 and Rac2 alleles leads to defective engraftment and massive mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), which are associated with impaired chemotaxis and cortical filamentous (F)-actin polymerization (Gu et al., Science 302: 445–449). RhoH, a hematopoietic-specific member of the RhoE subfamily, negatively regulates HPC engraftment, chemotaxis, F-actin polymerization and Rac activities (Gu et al., Blood 105: 1467–1475). These findings suggest that RhoH may antagonize Rac function in regulating these cellular processes. However, molecular mechanism of the cross-talk between these Rho GTPases is not defined. In this study, we examined the role of RhoH in actin cytoskeleton organization, chemotaxis and Rac membrane translocation in response to stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) using RhoH-deficient HPCs and retrovirus-mediated expression of EGFP-fusion proteins. RhoH−/− HPCs exhibit increased migration in response to SDF-1α, especially at low concentration, as compared with wild-type (WT) cells [10ng/ml SDF-1α: 3.5 +/− 0.9 vs. 12.3 +/− 1.8; 100ng/ml SDF-1α: 21.4 +/− 1.7 vs. 32.3 +/− 3.4, migrated cells (%), WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=3, p< 0.01]. Migration without SDF-1α stimulation of RhoH−/− cells is also enhanced. RhoH−/− HPCs assemble cortical F-actin without SDF-1α stimulation, under conditions in which WT cells do not show F-actin polymerization [cells with F-actin (%): 8.9 +/− 0.9 vs. 72.8 +/− 4, WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=6, p<0.001]. Additionally, RhoH−/− HPCs exhibit increased active, GTP-bound Rac GTPases. PAK, a known downstream effector of Rac in regulating actin cytoskeleton, also shows hyperphosphorylation in RhoH-/− HPCs, suggesting that RhoH may regulate actin assembly and cell migration through Rac-mediated pathway. In support of this, expression of a dominant negative Rac1N17 mutant blocks cortical F-actin assembly in RhoH−/− cells [cells with F-actin (%): 60 +/− 1 vs. 19 +/− 7, EGFP-Rac1 vs. Rac1N17, n=2]. To further address the mechanism by which RhoH cross-talks to affect Rac signaling, we examine the role of RhoH in subcellular localization of EGFP-Rac proteins. SDF-1α induces activation of Rac, leading to translocation to the cell membrane where it co-localizes with lipid rafts and mediates cortical F-actin assembly in HPCs. In contrast, the dominant negative Rac1N17 does not localize to the cell membrane after SDF-1α stimulation. In RhoH−/− HPCs, EGFP-Rac protein presents at the cell membrane in the absence of SDF-1α [cells with membrane-localized EGFP-Rac1 (%): 7.5 +/− 3.9 vs. 44.5 +/− 6.4, WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=2]. In contrast, overexpression of RhoH in HPCs blocks translocation to the cell membrane after SDF-1α stimulation of Rac1, Rac2 and active Rac1V12. Finally, we found that RhoH, a constitutively active, GTP-bound protein, preferentially localizes to the cell membrane even in the absence of SDF-1α. This localization is dependent upon the prenylation site and the c-terminal domains of RhoH. Lack of membrane localization is associated with defective biological function. Together, our data suggest that RhoH is essential for proper cortical F-actin assembly and chemotaxis of HPCs via regulating Rac activation and membrane localization, and implicates a functional cross-talk between RhoH and Rac.

scholarly journals The Putative Pocket Protein Binding Site of Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus BV/ODV-C42 Is Required for Virus-Induced Nuclear Actin Polymerization

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (15) ◽  
pp. 7857-7868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Li ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
Huimin Bai ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Jianhua Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Binding ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Autographa Californica ◽  
Polymerization Process ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Pocket Protein

ABSTRACT Nuclear filamentous actin (F-actin) is essential for nucleocapsid morphogenesis of lepidopteran nucleopolyhedroviruses. Previously, we had demonstrated that Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) BV/ODV-C42 (C42) is involved in nuclear actin polymerization by recruiting P78/83, an AcMNPV orf9-encoded N-WASP homology protein that is capable of activating an actin-related-protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex to initiate actin polymerization, to the nucleus. To further investigate the role of C42 in virus-induced actin polymerization, the recombinant bacmid vAcp78/83nls-gfp, with a c42 knockout, p78/83 tagged with a nuclear localization signal coding sequence, and egfp as a reporter gene under the control of the Pp10 promoter, was constructed and transfected to Sf9 cells. In the nuclei of vAcp78/83nls-gfp-transfected cells, polymerized F-actin filaments were absent, whereas other actin polymerization elements (i.e., P78/83, G-actin, and Arp2/3 complex) were present. This in vivo evidence indicated that C42 actively participates in the nuclear actin polymerization process as a key element, besides its role in recruiting P78/83 to the nucleus. In order to collect in vitro evidence for the participation of C42 in actin polymerization, an anti-C42 antibody was used to neutralize the viral nucleocapsid, which is capable of initiating actin polymerization in vitro. Both the kinetics of pyrene-actin polymerization and F-actin-specific staining by phalloidin indicated that anti-C42 can significantly attenuate the efficiency of F-actin formation compared to that with control antibodies. Furthermore, we have identified the putative pocket protein binding sequence (PPBS) on C42 that is essential for C42 to exert its function in nuclear actin polymerization.

scholarly journals The Human Arp2/3 Complex Is Composed of Evolutionarily Conserved Subunits and Is Localized to Cellular Regions of Dynamic Actin Filament Assembly

1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Welch ◽  
Angela H. DePace ◽  
Suzie Verma ◽  
Akihiro Iwamatsu ◽  
Timothy J. Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Predicted Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
And Function ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Human Complex ◽  
Novel Protein ◽  
In Cells

The Arp2/3 protein complex has been implicated in the control of actin polymerization in cells. The human complex consists of seven subunits which include the actin related proteins Arp2 and Arp3, and five others referred to as p41-Arc, p34-Arc, p21-Arc, p20-Arc, and p16-Arc (Arp complex). We have determined the predicted amino acid sequence of all seven subunits. Each has homologues in diverse eukaryotes, implying that the structure and function of the complex has been conserved through evolution. Human Arp2 and Arp3 are very similar to family members from other species. p41-Arc is a new member of the Sop2 family of WD (tryptophan and aspartate) repeat–containing proteins and may be posttranslationally modified, suggesting that it may be involved in regulating the activity and/or localization of the complex. p34-Arc, p21-Arc, p20-Arc, and p16-Arc define novel protein families. We sought to evaluate the function of the Arp2/3 complex in cells by determining its intracellular distribution. Arp3, p34-Arc, and p21-Arc were localized to the lamellipodia of stationary and locomoting fibroblasts, as well to Listeria monocytogenes assembled actin tails. They were not detected in cellular bundles of actin filaments. Taken together with the ability of the Arp2/3 complex to induce actin polymerization, these observations suggest that the complex promotes actin assembly in lamellipodia and may participate in lamellipodial protrusion.

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