scholarly journals Microtubules grow by the addition of bent guanosine triphosphate tubulin to the tips of curved protofilaments

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 (8) ◽  
pp. 2691-2708 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Richard McIntosh ◽  
Eileen O’Toole ◽  
Garry Morgan ◽  
Jotham Austin ◽  
Evgeniy Ulyanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Brownian Dynamics ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Tubulin Polymerization ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphate ◽  
Simple Mechanism ◽  
In Cells

We used electron tomography to examine microtubules (MTs) growing from pure tubulin in vitro as well as two classes of MTs growing in cells from six species. The tips of all these growing MTs display bent protofilaments (PFs) that curve away from the MT axis, in contrast with previously reported MTs growing in vitro whose tips are either blunt or sheetlike. Neither high pressure nor freezing is responsible for the PF curvatures we see. The curvatures of PFs on growing and shortening MTs are similar; all are most curved at their tips, suggesting that guanosine triphosphate–tubulin in solution is bent and must straighten to be incorporated into the MT wall. Variations in curvature suggest that PFs are flexible in their plane of bending but rigid to bending out of that plane. Modeling by Brownian dynamics suggests that PF straightening for MT growth can be achieved by thermal motions, providing a simple mechanism with which to understand tubulin polymerization.

scholarly journals Association of Ebola Virus Matrix Protein VP40 with Microtubules

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 4709-4719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Ruthel ◽  
Gretchen L. Demmin ◽  
George Kallstrom ◽  
Melodi P. Javid ◽  
Shirin S. Badie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Tubulin Polymerization ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACT Viruses exploit a variety of cellular components to complete their life cycles, and it has become increasingly clear that use of host cell microtubules is a vital part of the infection process for many viruses. A variety of viral proteins have been identified that interact with microtubules, either directly or via a microtubule-associated motor protein. Here, we report that Ebola virus associates with microtubules via the matrix protein VP40. When transfected into mammalian cells, a fraction of VP40 colocalized with microtubule bundles and VP40 coimmunoprecipitated with tubulin. The degree of colocalization and microtubule bundling in cells was markedly intensified by truncation of the C terminus to a length of 317 amino acids. Further truncation to 308 or fewer amino acids abolished the association with microtubules. Both the full-length and the 317-amino-acid truncation mutant stabilized microtubules against depolymerization with nocodazole. Direct physical interaction between purified VP40 and tubulin proteins was demonstrated in vitro. A region of moderate homology to the tubulin binding motif of the microtubule-associated protein MAP2 was identified in VP40. Deleting this region resulted in loss of microtubule stabilization against drug-induced depolymerization. The presence of VP40-associated microtubules in cells continuously treated with nocodazole suggested that VP40 promotes tubulin polymerization. Using an in vitro polymerization assay, we demonstrated that VP40 directly enhances tubulin polymerization without any cellular mediators. These results suggest that microtubules may play an important role in the Ebola virus life cycle and potentially provide a novel target for therapeutic intervention against this highly pathogenic virus.

scholarly journals Novel cryo-electron tomography structure of Arp2/3 complex in cells reveals mechanisms of branch formation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Fäßler ◽  
Georgi Dimchev ◽  
Victor-Valentin Hodirnau ◽  
William Wan ◽  
Florian KM Schur
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Branch Formation ◽  
Complex Structural ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
Subtomogram Averaging ◽  
Resolution Structure ◽  
In Cells

AbstractThe actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 complex nucleates branched actin filament networks pivotal for cell migration, endocytosis and pathogen infection. Its activation is tightly regulated and involves complex structural rearrangements and actin filament binding, which are yet to be understood. Here, we report a 9.0Å resolution structure of the actin filament Arp2/3 complex branch junction in cells using cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging. This allows us to generate an accurate model of the active Arp2/3 complex in the branch junction and its interaction with actin filaments. Our structure indicates a central role for the ArpC3 subunit in stabilizing the active conformation and suggests that in the branch junction relocation of the ArpC5 N-terminus and the C-terminal tail of Arp3 is important to fix Arp2 and Arp3 in an actin dimer-like conformation. Notably, our model of the branch junction in cells significantly differs from the previous in vitro branch junction model.

scholarly journals A new look for the growing microtubule end?

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 (8) ◽  
pp. 2609-2611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke M. Rice
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fundamental Question ◽  
Cell Biol ◽  
Three Dimensional Images ◽  
In Cells ◽  
New Look

What does the end of a growing microtubule look like? In this issue, McIntosh et al. (2018. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201802138) use electron tomography to provide state-of-the-art three-dimensional images of microtubule ends in cells and in vitro, yielding an unexpected answer to this fundamental question.

scholarly journals Microtubule architecture in vitro and in cells revealed by cryo-electron tomography

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 572-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Atherton ◽  
Melissa Stouffer ◽  
Fiona Francis ◽  
Carolyn A. Moores
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
In Cells

The microtubule cytoskeleton is involved in many vital cellular processes. Microtubules act as tracks for molecular motors, and their polymerization and depolymerization can be harnessed to generate force. The structures of microtubules provide key information about the mechanisms by which their cellular roles are accomplished and the physiological context in which these roles are performed. Cryo-electron microscopy allows the visualization of in vitro-polymerized microtubules and has provided important insights into their overall morphology and the influence of a range of factors on their structure and dynamics. Cryo-electron tomography can be used to determine the unique three-dimensional structure of individual microtubules and their ends. Here, a previous cryo-electron tomography study of in vitro-polymerized GMPCPP-stabilized microtubules is revisited, the findings are compared with new tomograms of dynamic in vitro and cellular microtubules, and the information that can be extracted from such data is highlighted. The analysis shows the surprising structural heterogeneity of in vitro-polymerized microtubules. Lattice defects can be observed both in vitro and in cells. The shared ultrastructural properties in these different populations emphasize the relevance of three-dimensional structures of in vitro microtubules for understanding microtubule cellular functions.

Maytansine-Induced Mitotic Arrest in Human Lymphoblasts

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 460-461
Author(s):  
Tai-Te Chao ◽  
John Sullivan ◽  
Awtar Krishan
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Tubulin Polymerization ◽  
Vinca Alkaloids ◽  
Antimitotic Activity ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Flow Microfluorometry ◽  
Brain Tubulin

Maytansine, a novel ansa macrolide (1), has potent anti-tumor and antimitotic activity (2, 3). It blocks cell cycle traverse in mitosis with resultant accumulation of metaphase cells (4). Inhibition of brain tubulin polymerization in vitro by maytansine has also been reported (3). The C-mitotic effect of this drug is similar to that of the well known Vinca- alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine. This study was carried out to examine the effects of maytansine on the cell cycle traverse and the fine struc- I ture of human lymphoblasts.Log-phase cultures of CCRF-CEM human lymphoblasts were exposed to maytansine concentrations from 10-6 M to 10-10 M for 18 hrs. Aliquots of cells were removed for cell cycle analysis by flow microfluorometry (FMF) (5) and also processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FMF analysis of cells treated with 10-8 M maytansine showed a reduction in the number of G1 cells and a corresponding build-up of cells with G2/M DNA content.

High-Pressure Homogenization Alters Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea Opposita Thunb.) Starch

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Wang Yi-Wei ◽  
He Yong-Zhao ◽  
An Feng-Ping ◽  
Huang Qun ◽  
Zeng Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
High Pressure Homogenization ◽  
Starch Granules ◽  
Cross Polarization ◽  
Chinese Yam ◽  
Crystal Type

In this study, Chinese yam starch-water suspension (8%) were subjected to high-pressure homogenization (HPH) at 100 MPa for increasing cycle numbers, and its effect of on the physicochemical properties of the starch was investigated. Results of the polarizing microscope observations showed that the starch granules were disrupted (i.e. greater breakdown value) after HPH treatment, followed by a decrease in cross polarization. After three HPH cycles, the crystallinity of starch decreased, while the crystal type remained unaltered. Meanwhile, the contents of rapidly digestible starch and slowly digestible starch were increased. On the contrary, resistant starch content was decreased. Our results indicate that HPH treatment resulted in reduction of starch crystallinity and increase of starch digestibility.

MiR-485-5p Promotes Neuron Survival through Mediating Rac1/Notch2 Signaling Pathway after Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Chen ◽  
Sumei Zhang ◽  
Peipei Shi ◽  
Yangli Su ◽  
Dong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Glucose Deprivation ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Pathological Feature ◽  
In Cells

Objective: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a pathological feature of ischemic stroke. This study investigated the regulatory role of miR-485-5p in I/R injury. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were induced with oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to mimic I/R injury in vitro. Cells were transfected with designated constructs (miR-485- 5p mimics, miR-485-5p inhibitor, lentiviral vectors overexpressing Rac1 or their corresponding controls). Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. The concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species were detected to indicate the degree of oxidative stress. Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay were used for apoptosis assessment. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm that Rac family small GTPase 1 (Rac1) was a downstream gene of miR-485-5p. Results: OGD/R resulted in decreased cell viability, elevated oxidative stress, increased apoptosis, and downregulated miR-485-5p expression in SH-SY5Y cells. MiR-485-5p upregulation alleviated I/R injury, evidenced by improved cell viability, decreased oxidative markers, and reduced apoptotic rate. OGD/R increased the levels of Rac1 and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2 (Notch2) signaling-related proteins in cells with normal miR-485-5p expression, whereas miR- 485-5p overexpression successfully suppressed OGD/R-induced upregulation of these proteins. Furthermore, the delivery of vectors overexpressing Rac1 in miR-485-5p mimics-transfected cells reversed the protective effect of miR-485-5p in cells with OGD/R-induced injury. Conclusion: This study showed that miR-485-5p protected cells following I/R injury via targeting Rac1/Notch2 signaling suggest that targeted upregulation of miR-485-5p might be a promising therapeutic option for the protection against I/R injury.

Biologic Aspects of Expression of Stably Integrated Transgenes in Cells of the Skin In Vitro and In Vivo

1999 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald G. Krueger ◽  
Jeffery R. Morgan ◽  
Marta J. Petersen
Keyword(s):  
In Cells

scholarly journals 1592U89, a novel carbocyclic nucleoside analog with potent, selective anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity.

1997 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1082-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Daluge ◽  
S S Good ◽  
M B Faletto ◽  
W H Miller ◽  
M H St Clair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Oral Bioavailability ◽  
Human Peripheral Blood ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Carbocyclic Nucleoside ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
In Cells

1592U89, (-)-(1S,4R)-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl]-2-cyclo pentene-1-methanol, is a carbocyclic nucleoside with a unique biological profile giving potent, selective anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. 1592U89 was selected after evaluation of a wide variety of analogs containing a cyclopentene substitution for the 2'-deoxyriboside of natural deoxynucleosides, optimizing in vitro anti-HIV potency, oral bioavailability, and central nervous system (CNS) penetration. 1592U89 was equivalent in potency to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) in human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) cultures against clinical isolates of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) from antiretroviral drug-naive patients (average 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 0.26 microM for 1592U89 and 0.23 microM for AZT). 1592U89 showed minimal cross-resistance (approximately twofold) with AZT and other approved HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors. 1592U89 was synergistic in combination with AZT, the nonnucleoside RT inhibitor nevirapine, and the protease inhibitor 141W94 in MT4 cells against HIV-1 (IIIB). 1592U89 was anabolized intracellularly to its 5'-monophosphate in CD4+ CEM cells and in PBLs, but the di- and triphosphates of 1592U89 were not detected. The only triphosphate found in cells incubated with 1592U89 was that of the guanine analog (-)-carbovir (CBV). However, the in vivo pharmacokinetic, distribution, and toxicological profiles of 1592U89 were distinct from and improved over those of CBV, probably because CBV itself was not appreciably formed from 1592U89 in cells or animals (<2%). The 5'-triphosphate of CBV was a potent, selective inhibitor of HIV-1 RT, with Ki values for DNA polymerases (alpha, beta, gamma, and epsilon which were 90-, 2,900-, 1,200-, and 1,900-fold greater, respectively, than for RT (Ki, 21 nM). 1592U89 was relatively nontoxic to human bone marrow progenitors erythroid burst-forming unit and granulocyte-macrophage CFU (IC50s, 110 microM) and human leukemic and liver tumor cell lines. 1592U89 had excellent oral bioavailability (105% in the rat) and penetrated the CNS (rat brain and monkey cerebrospinal fluid) as well as AZT. Having demonstrated an excellent preclinical profile, 1592U89 has progressed to clinical evaluation in HIV-infected patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document