scholarly journals Molecular requirements for actin-based lamella formation in Drosophila S2 cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 162 (6) ◽  
pp. 1079-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Rogers ◽  
Ursula Wiedemann ◽  
Nico Stuurman ◽  
Ronald D. Vale
Keyword(s):  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
S2 Cells ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Rac Gtpases ◽  
Drosophila S2 Cells ◽  
Small Set ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Essential Set

Cell migration occurs through the protrusion of the actin-enriched lamella. Here, we investigated the effects of RNAi depletion of ∼90 proteins implicated in actin function on lamella formation in Drosophila S2 cells. Similar to in vitro reconstitution studies of actin-based Listeria movement, we find that lamellae formation requires a relatively small set of proteins that participate in actin nucleation (Arp2/3 and SCAR), barbed end capping (capping protein), filament depolymerization (cofilin and Aip1), and actin monomer binding (profilin and cyclase-associated protein). Lamellae are initiated by parallel and partially redundant signaling pathways involving Rac GTPases and the adaptor protein Nck, which stimulate SCAR, an Arp2/3 activator. We also show that RNAi of three proteins (kette, Abi, and Sra-1) known to copurify with and inhibit SCAR in vitro leads to SCAR degradation, revealing a novel function of this protein complex in SCAR stability. Our results have identified an essential set of proteins involved in actin dynamics during lamella formation in Drosophila S2 cells.

scholarly journals FSGS3/CD2AP is a barbed-end capping protein that stabilizes actin and strengthens adherens junctions

2013 ◽  
Vol 203 (5) ◽  
pp. 815-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian W. Tang ◽  
William M. Brieher
Keyword(s):  
Adhesive Strength ◽  
Mdck Cells ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Cell Cell

By combining in vitro reconstitution biochemistry with a cross-linking approach, we have identified focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3/CD2-associated protein (FSGS3/CD2AP) as a novel actin barbed-end capping protein responsible for actin stability at the adherens junction. FSGS3/CD2AP colocalizes with E-cadherin and α-actinin-4 at the apical junction in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised actin stability and decreased actin accumulation at the adherens junction. Using a novel apparatus to apply mechanical stress to cell–cell junctions, we showed that knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised adhesive strength, resulting in tearing between cells and disruption of barrier function. Our results reveal a novel function of FSGS3/CD2AP and a previously unrecognized role of barbed-end capping in junctional actin dynamics. Our study underscores the complexity of actin regulation at cell–cell contacts that involves actin activators, inhibitors, and stabilizers to control adhesive strength, epithelial behavior, and permeability barrier integrity.

scholarly journals Villin Severing Activity Enhances Actin-based Motility In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 827-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Revenu ◽  
Matthieu Courtois ◽  
Alphée Michelot ◽  
Cécile Sykes ◽  
Daniel Louvard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Function Strategy ◽  
In Cells

Villin, an actin-binding protein associated with the actin bundles that support microvilli, bundles, caps, nucleates, and severs actin in a calcium-dependant manner in vitro. We hypothesized that the severing activity of villin is responsible for its reported role in enhancing cell plasticity and motility. To test this hypothesis, we chose a loss of function strategy and introduced mutations in villin based on sequence comparison with CapG. By pyrene-actin assays, we demonstrate that this mutant has a strongly reduced severing activity, whereas nucleation and capping remain unaffected. The bundling activity and the morphogenic effects of villin in cells are also preserved in this mutant. We thus succeeded in dissociating the severing from the three other activities of villin. The contribution of villin severing to actin dynamics is analyzed in vivo through the actin-based movement of the intracellular bacteria Shigella flexneri in cells expressing villin and its severing variant. The severing mutations abolish the gain of velocity induced by villin. To further analyze this effect, we reconstituted an in vitro actin-based bead movement in which the usual capping protein is replaced by either the wild type or the severing mutant of villin. Confirming the in vivo results, villin-severing activity enhances the velocity of beads by more than two-fold and reduces the density of actin in the comets. We propose a model in which, by severing actin filaments and capping their barbed ends, villin increases the concentration of actin monomers available for polymerization, a mechanism that might be paralleled in vivo when an enterocyte undergoes an epithelio-mesenchymal transition.

scholarly journals βcap73-ARF6 Interactions Modulate Cell Shape and Motility after Injury In Vitro

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 4155-4161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen N. Riley ◽  
Angel E. Maldonado ◽  
Patrice Tellier ◽  
Crislyn D'Souza-Schorey ◽  
Ira M. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Actin Capping Protein

To understand the role that ARF6 plays in regulating isoactin dynamics and cell motility, we transfected endothelial cells (EC) with HA-tagged ARF6: the wild-type form (WT), a constitutively-active form unable to hydrolyze GTP (Q67L), and two dominant-negative forms, which are either unable to release GDP (T27N) or fail to bind nucleotide (N122I). Motility was assessed by digital imaging microscopy before Western blot analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, or colocalization studies using ARF6, β-actin, or β-actin-binding protein-specific antibodies. EC expressing ARF6-Q67L spread and close in vitro wounds at twice the control rates. EC expressing dominant-negative ARF6 fail to develop a leading edge, are unable to ruffle their membranes (N122I), and possess arborized processes. Colocalization studies reveal that the Q67L and WT ARF6-HA are enriched at the leading edge with β-actin; but T27N and N122I ARF6-HA are localized on endosomes together with the β-actin capping protein, βcap73. Coimmunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses reveal the direct association of ARF6-HA with βcap73, defining a role for ARF6 in signaling cytoskeletal remodeling during motility. Knowledge of the role that ARF6 plays in orchestrating membrane and β-actin dynamics will help to reveal molecular mechanisms regulating actin-based motility during development and disease.

scholarly journals ISWI is a RanGTP-dependent MAP required for chromosome segregation

2009 ◽  
Vol 187 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Yokoyama ◽  
Sofia Rybina ◽  
Rachel Santarella-Mellwig ◽  
Iain W. Mattaj ◽  
Eric Karsenti
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
S2 Cells ◽  
Culture Cells ◽  
Egg Extract ◽  
Drosophila S2 Cells ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Localization Signal

Production of RanGTP around chromosomes induces spindle assembly by activating nuclear localization signal (NLS)–containing factors. Here, we show that the NLS protein ISWI, a known chromatin-remodeling ATPase, is a RanGTP-dependent microtubule (MT)-associated protein. Recombinant ISWI induces MT nucleation, stabilization, and bundling in vitro. In Xenopus culture cells and egg extract, ISWI localizes within the nucleus in interphase and on spindles during mitosis. Depletion of ISWI in egg extracts does not affect spindle assembly, but in anaphase spindle MTs disappear and chromosomes do not segregate. We show directly that ISWI is required for the RanGTP-dependent stabilization of MTs during anaphase independently of its effect on chromosomes. ISWI depletion in Drosophila S2 cells induces defects in spindle MTs and chromosome segregation in anaphase, and the cells eventually stop growing. Our results demonstrate that distinctly from its role in spindle assembly, RanGTP maintains spindle MTs in anaphase through the local activation of ISWI and that this is essential for proper chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Twinfilin uncaps filament barbed ends to promote turnover of lamellipodial actin networks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markku Hakala ◽  
Hugo Wioland ◽  
Mari Tolonen ◽  
Antoine Jegou ◽  
Guillaume Romet-Lemonne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Dissociation Kinetics ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Actin Networks ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Specific Localization ◽  
In Cells

AbstractCoordinated polymerization of actin filaments provides force for cell migration, morphogenesis, and endocytosis. Capping Protein (CP) is central regulator of actin dynamics in all eukaryotes. It binds actin filament (F-actin) barbed ends with high affinity and slow dissociation kinetics to prevent filament polymerization and depolymerization. In cells, however, CP displays remarkably rapid dynamics within F-actin networks, but the underlying mechanism has remained enigmatic. We report that a conserved cytoskeletal regulator, twinfilin, is responsible for CP’s rapid dynamics and specific localization in cells. Depletion of twinfilin led to stable association of CP with cellular F-actin arrays and its treadmilling throughout leading-edge lamellipodium. These were accompanied by diminished F-actin disassembly rates. In vitro single filament imaging approaches revealed that twinfilin directly promotes dissociation of CP from filament barbed ends, while allowing subsequent filament depolymerization. These results uncover an evolutionary conserved bipartite mechanism that controls how actin cytoskeleton-mediated forces are generated in cells.

scholarly journals Purification, characterization, and immunofluorescence localization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae capping protein

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 1067-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Amatruda ◽  
JA Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Beta Subunits ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Bud Emergence ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Actin Cables

Capping protein binds the barbed ends of actin filaments and nucleates actin filament assembly in vitro. We purified capping protein from Saccharomyces cervisiae. One of the two subunits is the product of the CAP2 gene, which we previously identified as the gene encoding the beta subunit of capping protein based on its sequence similarity to capping protein beta subunits in chicken and Dictyostelium (Amatruda, J. F., J. F. Cannon, K. Tatchell, C. Hug, and J. A. Cooper. 1990. Nature (Lond.) 344:352-354). Yeast capping protein has activity in critical concentration and low-shear viscometry assays consistent with barbed-end capping activity. Like chicken capping protein, yeast capping protein is inhibited by PIP2. By immunofluorescence microscopy yeast capping protein colocalizes with cortical actin spots at the site of bud emergence and at the tips of growing buds and shmoos. In contrast, capping protein does not colocalize with actin cables or with actin rings at the site of cytokinesis.

scholarly journals Capping Protein Terminates but Does Not Initiate Chemoattractant-induced Actin Assembly in Dictyostelium

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 1243-1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Eddy ◽  
J. Han ◽  
J.S. Condeelis
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
End Capping

The first step in the directed movement of cells toward a chemotactic source involves the extension of pseudopods initiated by the focal nucleation and polymerization of actin at the leading edge of the cell. We have previously isolated a chemoattractant-regulated barbed-end capping activity from Dictyostelium that is uniquely associated with capping protein, also known as cap32/34. Although uncapping of barbed ends by capping protein has been proposed as a mechanism for the generation of free barbed ends after stimulation, in vitro and in situ analysis of the association of capping protein with the actin cytoskeleton after stimulation reveals that capping protein enters, but does not exit, the cytoskeleton during the initiation of actin polymerization. Increased association of capping protein with regions of the cell containing free barbed ends as visualized by exogenous rhodamine-labeled G-actin is also observed after stimulation. An approximate threefold increase in the number of filaments with free barbed ends is accompanied by increases in absolute filament number, whereas the average filament length remains constant. Therefore, a mechanism in which preexisting filaments are uncapped by capping protein, in response to stimulation leading to the generation of free barbed ends and filament elongation, is not supported. A model for actin assembly after stimulation, whereby free barbed ends are generated by either filament severing or de novo nucleation is proposed. In this model, exposure of free barbed ends results in actin assembly, followed by entry of free capping protein into the actin cytoskeleton, which acts to terminate, not initiate, the actin polymerization transient.

scholarly journals Two biochemically distinct and tissue-specific twinfilin isoforms are generated from the mouse Twf2 gene by alternative promoter usage

2008 ◽  
Vol 417 (2) ◽  
pp. 593-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa M. Nevalainen ◽  
Aneta Skwarek-Maruszewska ◽  
Attila Braun ◽  
Markus Moser ◽  
Pekka Lappalainen
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Alternative Promoter ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Muscle Tissues ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Promoter Usage ◽  
End Capping

Twf (twinfilin) is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of actin dynamics composed of two ADF-H (actin-depolymerizing factor homology) domains. Twf binds actin monomers and heterodimeric capping protein with high affinity. Previous studies have demonstrated that mammals express two Twf isoforms, Twf1 and Twf2, of which at least Twf1 also regulates cytoskeletal dynamics by capping actin filament barbed-ends. In the present study, we show that alternative promoter usage of the mouse Twf2 gene generates two isoforms, which differ from each other only at their very N-terminal region. Of these isoforms, Twf2a is predominantly expressed in non-muscle tissues, whereas expression of Twf2b is restricted to heart and skeletal muscle. Both proteins bind actin monomers and capping protein, as well as efficiently capping actin filament barbed-ends. However, the N-terminal ADF-H domain of Twf2b interacts with ADP-G-actin with a 5-fold higher affinity than with ATP-G-actin, whereas the corresponding domain of Twf2a binds ADP-G-actin and ATP-G-actin with equal affinities. Taken together, these results show that, like Twf1, mouse Twf2 is a filament barbed-end capping protein, and that two tissue-specific and biochemically distinct isoforms are generated from the Twf2 gene through alternative promoter usage.

scholarly journals The XMAP215 family drives microtubule polymerization using a structurally diverse TOG array

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 2375-2392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime C. Fox ◽  
Amy E. Howard ◽  
Joshua D. Currie ◽  
Stephen L. Rogers ◽  
Kevin C. Slep
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
S2 Cells ◽  
Microtubule Polymerization ◽  
Conserved Domain ◽  
Tubulin Binding ◽  
Drosophila S2 Cells ◽  
Binding Determinants ◽  
Overexpressed Gene

XMAP215 family members are potent microtubule (MT) polymerases, with mutants displaying reduced MT growth rates and aberrant spindle morphologies. XMAP215 proteins contain arrayed tumor overexpressed gene (TOG) domains that bind tubulin. Whether these TOG domains are architecturally equivalent is unknown. Here we present crystal structures of TOG4 from Drosophila Msps and human ch-TOG. These TOG4 structures architecturally depart from the structures of TOG domains 1 and 2, revealing a conserved domain bend that predicts a novel engagement with α-tubulin. In vitro assays show differential tubulin-binding affinities across the TOG array, as well as differential effects on MT polymerization. We used Drosophila S2 cells depleted of endogenous Msps to assess the importance of individual TOG domains. Whereas a TOG1-4 array largely rescues MT polymerization rates, mutating tubulin-binding determinants in any single TOG domain dramatically reduces rescue activity. Our work highlights the structurally diverse yet positionally conserved TOG array that drives MT polymerization.

scholarly journals Pharmaco-genetic screen to uncover actin regulators targeted by prostaglandins during Drosophila oogenesis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Spracklen ◽  
Maureen C. Lamb ◽  
Christopher M. Groen ◽  
Tina L. Tootle
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Cox Inhibitors ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Cytoskeletal Remodeling ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Muscle Myosin ◽  
Follicle Maturation

AbstractProstaglandins (PGs) are lipid signaling molecules with numerous physiologic functions, including pain/inflammation, fertility, and cancer. PGs are produced downstream of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, the targets of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In numerous systems, PGs regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling, however, their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. To address this deficiency, we undertook a pharmaco-genetic interaction screen during late-stage Drosophila oogenesis. Drosophila oogenesis is as an established model for studying both actin dynamics and PGs. Indeed, during Stage 10B, cage-like arrays of actin bundles surround each nurse cell nucleus, and during Stage 11, the cortical actin contracts, squeezing the cytoplasmic contents into the oocyte. Both of these cytoskeletal properties are required for follicle development and fertility, and are regulated by PGs. Here we describe a pharmaco-genetic interaction screen that takes advantage of the facts that Stage 10B follicles will mature in culture and COX inhibitors, such as aspirin, block this in vitro follicle maturation. In the screen, aspirin was used at a concentration that blocks 50% of the wild-type follicles from maturing in culture. By combining this aspirin treatment with heterozygosity for mutations in actin regulators, we quantitatively identified enhancers and suppressors of COX inhibition. Here we present the screen results and initial follow-up studies on three strong enhancers – Enabled, Capping protein, and non-muscle Myosin II Regulatory Light Chain. Overall, these studies provide new insight into how PGs regulate both actin bundle formation and cellular contraction, properties that are not only essential for development, but are misregulated in diseases.

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