scholarly journals YAP–TEAD1 control of cytoskeleton dynamics and intracellular tension guides human pluripotent stem cell mesoderm specification

Author(s):  
Stefania Pagliari ◽  
Vladimir Vinarsky ◽  
Fabiana Martino ◽  
Ana Rubina Perestrelo ◽  
Jorge Oliver De La Cruz ◽  
...  

Abstract The tight regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics is required for a number of cellular processes, including migration, division and differentiation. YAP–TEAD respond to cell–cell interaction and to substrate mechanics and, among their downstream effects, prompt focal adhesion (FA) gene transcription, thus contributing to FA-cytoskeleton stability. This activity is key to the definition of adult cell mechanical properties and function. Its regulation and role in pluripotent stem cells are poorly understood. Human PSCs display a sustained basal YAP-driven transcriptional activity despite they grow in very dense colonies, indicating these cells are insensitive to contact inhibition. PSC inability to perceive cell–cell interactions can be restored by tampering with Tankyrase enzyme, thus favouring AMOT inhibition of YAP function. YAP–TEAD complex is promptly inactivated when germ layers are specified, and this event is needed to adjust PSC mechanical properties in response to physiological substrate stiffness. By providing evidence that YAP–TEAD1 complex targets key genes encoding for proteins involved in cytoskeleton dynamics, we suggest that substrate mechanics can direct PSC specification by influencing cytoskeleton arrangement and intracellular tension. We propose an aberrant activation of YAP–TEAD1 axis alters PSC potency by inhibiting cytoskeleton dynamics, thus paralyzing the changes in shape requested for the acquisition of the given phenotype.

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
Matthew Antel ◽  
Mayu Inaba

The Drosophila ovary offers a suitable model system to study the mechanisms that orchestrate diverse cellular processes. Oogenesis starts from asymmetric stem cell division, proper differentiation and the production of fully patterned oocytes equipped with all the maternal information required for embryogenesis. Spatial and temporal regulation of cell-cell interaction is particularly important to fulfill accurate biological outcomes at each step of oocyte development. Progress has been made in understanding diverse cell physiological regulation of signaling. Here we review the roles of specialized cellular machinery in cell-cell communication in different stages of oogenesis.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daji Guo ◽  
Xiaoman Yang ◽  
Lei Shi

The Rho family GTPases are small G proteins that act as molecular switches shuttling between active and inactive forms. Rho GTPases are regulated by two classes of regulatory proteins, guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Rho GTPases transduce the upstream signals to downstream effectors, thus regulating diverse cellular processes, such as growth, migration, adhesion, and differentiation. In particular, Rho GTPases play essential roles in regulating neuronal morphology and function. Recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of Rho GTPase signaling contributes substantially to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been found that 20 genes encoding Rho GTPase regulators and effectors are listed as ASD risk genes by Simons foundation autism research initiative (SFARI). This review summarizes the clinical evidence, protein structure, and protein expression pattern of these 20 genes. Moreover, ASD-related behavioral phenotypes in animal models of these genes are reviewed, and the therapeutic approaches that show successful treatment effects in these animal models are discussed.


1981 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Lefort-Tran ◽  
K Aufderheide ◽  
M Pouphile ◽  
M Rossignol ◽  
J Beisson

The trichocysts of Paramecium tetraurelia constitute a favorable system for studying secretory process because of the numerous available mutations that block, at various stages, the development of these secretory vesicles, their migration towards and interaction with the cell surface, and their exocytosis. Previous studies of several mutants provided information (a) on the assembly and function of the intramembranous particles arrays in the plasma membrane at trichocyst attachment sites, (b) on the autonomous motility of trichocysts, required for attachment to the cortex, and (c) on a diffusible cytoplasmic factor whose interaction with both trichocyst and plasma membrane is required for exocytosis to take place. We describe here the properties of four more mutants deficient in exocytosis ability, nd6, nd7, tam38, and tam6, which were analyzed by freeze-fracture, microinjection of trichocysts, and assay for repair of the mutational defect through cell-cell interaction during conjugation with wild-type cells. As well as providing confirmation of previous conclusions, our observations show that the mutations nd6 and tam6 (which display striking abnormalities in their plasma membrane particle arrays and are reparable through cell-cell contact but not by microinjection of cytoplasm) affect two distinct properties of the plasma membrane, whereas the other two mutations affect different properties of the trichocysts. Altogether, the mutants so far analyzed now provide a rather comprehensive view of the steps and functions involved in secretory processes in Paramecium and demonstrate that two steps of these processes, trichocyst attachment to the plasma membrane and exocytosis, depend upon specific properties of both the secretory vesicle and the plasma membrane.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohito Higashi ◽  
Rachel E. Stephenson ◽  
Ann L. Miller

Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is crucial for cellular processes, including cytokinesis and cell–cell junction remodeling. Formins are conserved processive actin-polymerizing machines that regulate actin dynamics by nucleating, elongating, and bundling linear actin filaments. Because the formin family is large, with at least 15 members in vertebrates, there have not been any comprehensive studies examining formin localization and function within a common cell type. Here, we characterized the localization of all 15 formins in epithelial cells of Xenopus laevis gastrula-stage embryos. Dia1 and Dia2 localized to tight junctions, while Fhod1 and Fhod3 localized to adherens junctions. Only Dia3 strongly localized at the cytokinetic contractile ring. The Diaphanous inhibitory domain–dimerization domain (DID-DD) region of Dia1 was sufficient for Dia1 localization, and overexpression of a Dia1 DID-DD fragment competitively removed Dia1 and Dia2 from cell–cell junctions. In Dia1 DID-DD–overexpressing cells, Dia1 and Dia2 were mislocalized to the contractile ring, and cells exhibited increased cytokinesis failure. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the localization of all 15 vertebrate formins in epithelial cells and suggests that misregulated formin localization results in epithelial cytokinesis failure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i3-i3
Author(s):  
Sadhana Jackson ◽  
Amelie Vezina ◽  
Nabanita Kundu ◽  
Robert Robey

Abstract The blood-tumor barrier (BTB) is the primary site of nutrient and drug transport to tumor cells such as malignant gliomas. Yet, signaling pathways and factors influencing BTB permeability are poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrate the role of WNT/β-catenin signaling in establishing and fortifying blood-brain barrier integrity in a non-diseased state. Additionally, WNT proteins are highly expressed in gliomas and their surrounding vasculature. Thus, we propose inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling at the brain endothelium of malignant glioma can impair BTB integrity to enhance permeability for select cytotoxic agents. We used immortalized mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3), akin to brain tumor endothelium, treated for 24 hours with WNT inhibitors (ICG-001, IWR-1, and LGK974). Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling was confirmed by gene expression of transcription factors (Tcf4 and Birc5). Cell viability was confirmed by CellTiter Glo®. Brain endothelial cell-cell interaction was evaluated by cell impedance and resistance via the Agilent xCELLigence and ABP TEER24 systems. Using qPCR and flow cytometry, we observed changes in expression and function of Abcb1 and Abcg2 transporters. Using an in vitro BTB (bEnd.3 cells and mouse H3.3WT/K27 glioma cells) we evaluated the effect of WNT inhibition on permeability and glioma viability. We found that all the inhibitors downregulated Tcf4 and Birc5 in brain endothelium dose-dependently. Viability with inhibitors demonstrated an IC50 of 28μM for ICG-001, and 42μM for both IWR-1 and LGK974. Endothelial cell-cell interaction was transiently decreased by approximately 50% with all inhibitors at 30 minutes; increasing closer to baseline after 2-4hrs. All WNT inhibitors dose-dependently decreased Abcg2 transporter expression and function. While In vitro BTB studies are ongoing, preliminary findings demonstrate increasing permeability of BTB amongst H3.3K27 glioma cells. Our results demonstrate potential of WNT inhibitors to modulate BTB integrity and drug efflux function. More studies are warranted to explore WNT/β-catenin signaling inhibition on BTB in vivo.


2009 ◽  
Vol 418 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Schill ◽  
Richard A. Anderson

The morphogenesis of epithelial cells in the tissue microenvironment depends on the regulation of the forces and structures that keep cells in contact with their neighbours. The formation of cell–cell contacts is integral to the establishment and maintenance of epithelial morphogenesis. In epithelial tissues, the misregulation of the signalling pathways that control epithelial polarization induces migratory and invasive cellular phenotypes. Many cellular processes influence cadherin targeting and function, including exocytosis, endocytosis and recycling. However, the localized generation of the lipid messenger PtdIns(4,5)P2 is emerging as a fundamental signal controlling all of these processes. The PtdIns(4,5)P2-generating enzymes, PIPKs (phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases) are therefore integral to these pathways. By the spatial and temporal targeting of PIPKs via the actions of its functional protein associates, PtdIns(4,5)P2 is generated at discrete cellular locales to provide the cadherin-trafficking machinery with its required lipid messenger. In the present review, we discuss the involvement of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and the PIPKs in the regulation of the E-cadherin (epithelial cadherin) exocytic and endocytic machinery, the modulation of actin structures at sites of adhesion, and the direction of cellular pathways which determine the fate of E-cadherin and cell–cell junctions. Recent work is also described that has defined phosphoinositide-mediated E-cadherin regulatory pathways by the use of organismal models.


2005 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Golub ◽  
Caroni Pico

The interactions of cells with their environment involve regulated actin-based motility at defined positions along the cell surface. Sphingolipid- and cholesterol-dependent microdomains (rafts) order proteins at biological membranes, and have been implicated in most signalling processes at the cell surface. Many membrane-bound components that regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell-surface motility associate with PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich lipid rafts. Although raft integrity is not required for substrate-directed cell spreading, or to initiate signalling for motility, it is a prerequisite for sustained and organized motility. Plasmalemmal rafts redistribute rapidly in response to signals, triggering motility. This process involves the removal of rafts from sites that are not interacting with the substrate, apparently through endocytosis, and a local accumulation at sites of integrin-mediated substrate interactions. PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich lipid rafts can assemble into patches in a process depending on PtdIns(4,5)P2, Cdc42 (cell-division control 42), N-WASP (neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) and actin cytoskeleton dynamics. The raft patches are sites of signal-induced actin assembly, and their accumulation locally promotes sustained motility. The patches capture microtubules, which promote patch clustering through PKA (protein kinase A), to steer motility. Raft accumulation at the cell surface, and its coupling to motility are influenced greatly by the expression of intrinsic raft-associated components that associate with the cytosolic leaflet of lipid rafts. Among them, GAP43 (growth-associated protein 43)-like proteins interact with PtdIns(4,5)P2 in a Ca2+/calmodulin and PKC (protein kinase C)-regulated manner, and function as intrinsic determinants of motility and anatomical plasticity. Plasmalemmal PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich raft assemblies thus provide powerful organizational principles for tight spatial and temporal control of signalling in motility.


2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-102
Author(s):  
Robin Rehm

Kasimir Malewitschs suprematistische Hauptwerke ›Schwarzes Quadrat‹, ›Schwarzer Kreis‹ und ›Schwarzes Kreuz‹ von 1915 setzen sich aus schwarzen Formen auf weißem Grund zusammen. Der Typus des Schwarzweißbildes weist überraschende Parallelen zu den bildlichen Wahrnehmungsinstrumenten auf, die vom ausgehenden 18. bis Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts in den Experimenten der Farbenlehre, physiologischen Optik und Psychologie verwendet worden sind. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht diese Parallelen in drei Schritten: Zunächst erfolgt eine allgemeine Charakterisierung des Schwarzweißbildes mit Hilfe des Kontrastbegriffs von Edmund Husserl. Des weiteren wird die Entstehung und Funktion des schwarzweißen Kontrastbildes in den Wissenschaften des 19. Jahrhunderts typologisch herausgearbeitet. Unter Berücksichtigung des Wissensbegriffs von Max Scheler wird abschließend die Spezifik des Wissens eruiert, das die Schwarzweißbilder sowohl in der Malerei Malewitschs als auch in den genannten Wissenschaften generieren. Malevich’s main Suprematist works, such as ›Black Square‹, ›Black Circle‹, and ›Black Cross‹ from 1915, consist of black shapes on white ground. Surprisingly this series of shapes strongly resembles scientific black-and-white images used for research on colour theory, physiological optics, and psychology throughout the 19th century. This paper examines the parallels between Malevich’s paintings and the scientific drawings in three steps: It first characterizes black-and-white images in general, using Edmund Husserl’s definition of the term ›contrast‹. Secondly, the paper investigates the development and function of black-and-white images as tools of perception in the sciences. It finally discusses the specific knowledge generated through Malevich’s art and through scientific black-and-white images, following Max Scheler’s phenomenological identification of knowledge.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document