scholarly journals Active movement in vitro of bundle of microfilaments isolated from Nitella cell.

1980 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Higashi-Fujime
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
Active Movement ◽  
Artificial Medium ◽  
Translational Movement ◽  
Dark Field Microscopy ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Subcortical Fibrils

Subcortical fibrils composed of bundles of F-actin filaments and endoplasmic filaments are responsible for endoplasmic streaming. It is reported here that these fibrils and filaments move actively in an artificial medium containing Mg-ATP and sucrose at neutral pH, when the medium was added to the cytoplasm squeezed out of the cell. The movement was observed by phase-contrast microscopy or dark-field microscopy and recorded on 16-mm film. Chains of chloroplasts linked by subcortical fibrils showed translational movement in the medium. Even after all chloroplasts and the endoplasm were washed away by perfusion with fresh medium, free fibrils and/or filaments (henceforth, referred to as fibers) not attached to chloroplasts continued travelling in the direction of the fiber orientation. Sometimes the fibers formed rings and rotated. Chloroplast chains and free fibers or rings continued moving for 5-30 min at about half the rate of the endoplasmic streaming in vivo. Calcium ion concentrations < 10(-7) M permitted movement to take place. Electron microscopy revealed that both fibers and rings were bundles of F-actin filaments that showed the same polarity after decoration with heavy meromyosin.

In-vitro- und In-vivo-Wirkung von Schilddrüsenhormon auf das Wachstum von Neuroblastomzellen

1990 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 120-124
Author(s):  
R. P. Baum ◽  
E. Rohrbach ◽  
G. Hör ◽  
B. Kornhuber ◽  
E. Busse
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Value ◽  
Initial Rise ◽  
Biphasic Effect ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Morphological Sign

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on the differentiation of cultured neuroblastoma (NB) cells was studied after 9 days of treatment with a dose of 10-4 M/106 cells per day. Using phase contrast microscopy, 30-50% of NB cells showed formation of neurites as a morphological sign of cellular differentiation. The initial rise of the mitosis rate was followed by a plateau. Changes in cyclic nucleotide content, in the triphosphates and in the activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were assessed in 2 human and 2 murine cell lines to serve as biochemical parameters of the cell differentiation induced by T3. Whereas the cAMP level increased significantly (3 to 7 fold compared with its initial value), the cGMP value dropped to 30 to 50% of that of the control group. ATP and GTP increased about 200%, the ODC showed a decrease of about 50%. The present studies show a biphasic effect of T3 on neuroblastoma cells: the initial rise of mitotic activity is followed by increased cell differentiation starting from day 4 of the treatment.

scholarly journals Capacity of human serum to depolymerize actin filaments

Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 524-530
Author(s):  
PA Janmey ◽  
SE Lind
Keyword(s):  
Human Serum ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Normal Serum ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Rapid Phase ◽  
Plasma Gelsolin ◽  
Preferential Formation

Human blood depolymerizes filamentous (F-)actin. The interaction of actin filaments and monomers with human serum was studied by following the kinetics and extent of the depolymerization of pyrene-labeled F- actin and by analysis of serum proteins adhering to immobilized actin monomers. In physiologic Ca2+ concentrations, the depolymerization of F- actin proceeds in two stages: a rapid phase, attributed to direct severing of filaments by plasma gelsolin, and a slow phase attributed to the binding of actin monomers to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Without Ca2+, only the slow phase is observed. Human serum can completely depolymerize 10 to 18 mumol/L of actin, of which approximately 5 mumol/L occurs rapidly. Depolymerization can be accounted for by the normal serum concentrations of gelsolin and DBP. Fibrin(ogen) and fibronectin, which bind actin in vitro, do not contribute to the kinetics or extent of its depolymerization. Affinity chromatography and functional assays for the presence of gelsolin-actin complexes show that addition of G-actin to serum results in preferential formation of actin-DBP complexes, but that addition of F- actin to serum produces both gelsolin-actin complexes and DBP-actin complexes. The distinctive binding of actin monomers and polymers to these two serum proteins suggests a means by which their coordinated actions are maximized in vivo, from the standpoint of depolymerizing filaments and clearing monomers from the circulation.

Understanding Biological Structures Through Exploring the Mechanical Response of Cell-Like Systems

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Philip R. LeDuc
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Living Cell ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Polymer Physics ◽  
Wide Range

The actin cytoskeleton provides mechanical support for the cell and influences activities such as cancer metastasis and chemotaxis. While their mechanical responses have been studied in vivo and in vitro, understanding the link between these two forms remains challenging. To explore this gap and further understand cell structure, we reconstructed the cell cytoskeleton in a membrane-like spherical liposome to mimic the cellular environment; this enables an artificial “cell like” system. Through this approach, we are pursuing a path to compare in vitro mechanics from a polymer physics perspective of individual actin filaments with the in vivo mechanics of a living cell [1]. A living cell contains many organelles, which are in a highly packed environment and require significant organization to function. The actin cytoskeleton provides both structural and organizational regulation that is essential for cellular response. Here, we first encapsulated G-actin into giant unilamellar vesicles through an electroformation technique and then polymerized them into actin filaments (F-actin) within individual vesicles. To probe their conformation, we visualized these vesicles with fluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy. We then used a tapping mode atomic force microscopy to determine the mechanical properties of these cell-like systems. These results provide insight into a wide range of fields and studies including polymer physics, cell biology, and biotechnology.

scholarly journals Method combining BAC film and positive staining for the characterization of DNA intermediates by dark-field electron microscopy

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann Benureau ◽  
Eliana Moreira Tavares ◽  
Ali-Akbar Muhammad ◽  
Sonia Baconnais ◽  
Eric Le Cam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Synthetic Dna ◽  
Dark Field Imaging ◽  
Alkyl Ammonium

Abstract DNA intermediate structures are formed in all major pathways of DNA metabolism. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a tool of choice to study their choreography and has led to major advances in the understanding of these mechanisms, particularly those of homologous recombination (HR) and replication. In this article, we describe specific TEM procedures dedicated to the structural characterization of DNA intermediates formed during these processes. These particular DNA species contain single-stranded DNA regions and/or branched structures, which require controlling both the DNA molecules spreading and their staining for subsequent visualization using dark-field imaging mode. Combining BAC (benzyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium chloride) film hyperphase with positive staining and dark-field TEM allows characterizing synthetic DNA substrates, joint molecules formed during not only in vitro assays mimicking HR, but also in vivo DNA intermediates.

scholarly journals ATP-dependent movement of myosin in vitro: characterization of a quantitative assay.

1984 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 1867-1871 ◽  
Author(s):  
M P Sheetz ◽  
R Chasan ◽  
J A Spudich
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Quantitative Assay ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Myosin ◽  
In Vitro Characterization ◽  
Actin Cables ◽  
Muscle Myosin

Sheetz and Spudich (1983, Nature (Lond.), 303:31-35) showed that ATP-dependent movement of myosin along actin filaments can be measured in vitro using myosin-coated beads and oriented actin cables from Nitella. To establish this in vitro movement as a quantitative assay and to understand better the basis for the movement, we have defined the factors that affect the myosin-bead velocity. Beads coated with skeletal muscle myosin move at a rate of 2-6 micron/s, depending on the myosin preparation. This velocity is independent of myosin concentration on the bead surface for concentrations above a critical value (approximately 20 micrograms myosin/2.5 X 10(9) beads of 1 micron in diameter). Movement is optimal between pH 6.8 and 7.5, at KCl concentrations less than 70 mM, at ATP concentrations greater than 0.1 mM, and at Mg2+ concentrations between 2 and 6 mM. From the temperature dependence of bead velocity, we calculate activation energies of 90 kJ/mol below 22 degrees C and 40 kJ/mol above 22 degrees C. Different myosin species move at their own characteristic velocities, and these velocities are proportional to their actin-activated ATPase activities. Further, the velocities of beads coated with smooth or skeletal muscle myosin correlate well with the known in vivo rates of myosin movement along actin filaments in these muscles. This in vitro assay, therefore, provides a rapid, reproducible method for quantitating the ATP-dependent movement of myosin molecules on actin.

scholarly journals Overexpression of cofilin stimulates bundling of actin filaments, membrane ruffling, and cell movement in Dictyostelium.

1996 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Aizawa ◽  
K Sutoh ◽  
I Yahara
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Membrane Ruffling ◽  
And Function

Cofilin is a low molecular weight actin-modulating protein whose structure and function are conserved among eucaryotes. Cofilin exhibits in vitro both a monomeric actin-sequestering activity and a filamentous actin-severing activity. To investigate in vivo functions of cofilin, cofilin was overexpressed in Dictyostelium discoideum cells. An increase in the content of D. discoideum cofilin (d-cofilin) by sevenfold induced a co-overproduction of actin by threefold. In cells over-expressing d-cofilin, the amount of filamentous actin but not that of monomeric actin was increased. Overexpressed d-cofilin co-sedimented with actin filaments, suggesting that the sequestering activity of d-cofilin is weak in vivo. The overexpression of d-cofilin increased actin bundles just beneath ruffling membranes where d-cofilin was co-localized. The overexpression of d-cofilin also stimulated cell movement as well as membrane ruffling. We have demonstrated in vitro that d-cofilin transformed latticework of actin filaments cross-linked by alpha-actinin into bundles probably by severing the filaments. D. discoideum cofilin may sever actin filaments in vivo and induce bundling of the filaments in the presence of cross-linking proteins so as to generate contractile systems involved in membrane ruffling and cell movement.

scholarly journals Fission yeast tropomyosin specifies directed transport of myosin-V along actin cables

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Clayton ◽  
Luther W. Pollard ◽  
Maria Sckolnick ◽  
Carol S. Bookwalter ◽  
Alex R. Hodges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Total Internal Reflection ◽  
Single Molecules ◽  
Myosin V ◽  
Class V ◽  
Physiological Relevance ◽  
Actin Cables

A hallmark of class-V myosins is their processivity—the ability to take multiple steps along actin filaments without dissociating. Our previous work suggested, however, that the fission yeast myosin-V (Myo52p) is a nonprocessive motor whose activity is enhanced by tropomyosin (Cdc8p). Here we investigate the molecular mechanism and physiological relevance of tropomyosin-mediated regulation of Myo52p transport, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches. Single molecules of Myo52p, visualized by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, moved processively only when Cdc8p was present on actin filaments. Small ensembles of Myo52p bound to a quantum dot, mimicking the number of motors bound to physiological cargo, also required Cdc8p for continuous motion. Although a truncated form of Myo52p that lacked a cargo-binding domain failed to support function in vivo, it still underwent actin-dependent movement to polarized growth sites. This result suggests that truncated Myo52p lacking cargo, or single molecules of wild-type Myo52p with small cargoes, can undergo processive movement along actin-Cdc8p cables in vivo. Our findings outline a mechanism by which tropomyosin facilitates sorting of transport to specific actin tracks within the cell by switching on myosin processivity.

scholarly journals Regulation of cell proliferation by ERK and signal-dependent nuclear translocation of ERK is dependent on Tm5NM1-containing actin filaments

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 2475-2490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Schevzov ◽  
Anthony J. Kee ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Vanessa B. Sequeira ◽  
Jeff Hook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Proximity Ligation ◽  
Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts ◽  
Wild Type Mefs

ERK-regulated cell proliferation requires multiple phosphorylation events catalyzed first by MEK and then by casein kinase 2 (CK2), followed by interaction with importin7 and subsequent nuclear translocation of pERK. We report that genetic manipulation of a core component of the actin filaments of cancer cells, the tropomyosin Tm5NM1, regulates the proliferation of normal cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Tm5NM1, which have reduced proliferative capacity, are insensitive to inhibition of ERK by peptide and small-molecule inhibitors, indicating that ERK is unable to regulate proliferation of these knockout (KO) cells. Treatment of wild-type MEFs with a CK2 inhibitor to block phosphorylation of the nuclear translocation signal in pERK resulted in greatly decreased cell proliferation and a significant reduction in the nuclear translocation of pERK. In contrast, Tm5NM1 KO MEFs, which show reduced nuclear translocation of pERK, were unaffected by inhibition of CK2. This suggested that it is nuclear translocation of CK2-phosphorylated pERK that regulates cell proliferation and this capacity is absent in Tm5NM1 KO cells. Proximity ligation assays confirmed a growth factor–stimulated interaction of pERK with Tm5NM1 and that the interaction of pERK with importin7 is greatly reduced in the Tm5NM1 KO cells.

scholarly journals Actin depolymerizing factor controls actin turnover and gliding motility in Toxoplasma gondii

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1290-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simren Mehta ◽  
L. David Sibley
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Gliding Motility ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Depolymerizing Factor

Apicomplexan parasites rely on actin-based gliding motility to move across the substratum, cross biological barriers, and invade their host cells. Gliding motility depends on polymerization of parasite actin filaments, yet ∼98% of actin is nonfilamentous in resting parasites. Previous studies suggest that the lack of actin filaments in the parasite is due to inherent instability, leaving uncertain the role of actin-binding proteins in controlling dynamics. We have previously shown that the single allele of Toxoplasma gondii actin depolymerizing factor (TgADF) has strong actin monomer–sequestering and weak filament-severing activities in vitro. Here we used a conditional knockout strategy to investigate the role of TgADF in vivo. Suppression of TgADF led to accumulation of actin-rich filaments that were detected by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Parasites deficient in TgADF showed reduced speed of motility, increased aberrant patterns of motion, and inhibition of sustained helical gliding. Lack of TgADF also led to severe defects in entry and egress from host cells, thus blocking infection in vitro. These studies establish that the absence of stable actin structures in the parasite are not simply the result of intrinsic instability, but that TgADF is required for the rapid turnover of parasite actin filaments, gliding motility, and cell invasion.

scholarly journals Migration ofAntigen-Specific T Cells Away from CXCR4-Binding Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus Type 1gp120

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 5184-5193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana M. Brainard ◽  
William G. Tharp ◽  
Elva Granado ◽  
Nicholas Miller ◽  
Alicja K. Trocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Active Movement ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Cell-mediated immunity depends in part on appropriate migration and localization of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), a process regulated by chemokines and adhesion molecules. Many viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), encode chemotactically active proteins, suggesting that dysregulation of immune cell trafficking may be a strategy for immune evasion. HIV-1 gp120, a retroviral envelope protein, has been shown to act as a T-cell chemoattractant via binding to the chemokine receptor and HIV-1 coreceptor CXCR4. We have previously shown that T cells move away from the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in a concentration-dependent and CXCR4 receptor-mediated manner. Here, we demonstrate that CXCR4-binding HIV-1 X4 gp120 causes the movement of T cells, including HIV-specific CTL, away from high concentrations of the viral protein. This migratory response is CD4 independent and inhibited by anti-CXCR4 antibodies and pertussis toxin. Additionally, the expression of X4 gp120 by target cells reduces CTL efficacy in an in vitro system designed to account for the effect of cell migration on the ability of CTL to kill their target cells. Recombinant X4 gp120 also significantly reduced antigen-specific T-cell infiltration at a site of antigen challenge in vivo. The repellant activity of HIV-1 gp120 on immune cells in vitro and in vivo was shown to be dependent on the V2 and V3 loops of HIV-1 gp120. These data suggest that the active movement of T cells away from CXCR4-binding HIV-1 gp120, which we previously termed fugetaxis, may provide a novel mechanism by which HIV-1 evades challenge by immune effector cells in vivo.

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