scholarly journals α4β1 Integrin Regulates Lamellipodia Protrusion via a Focal Complex/Focal Adhesion-independent Mechanism

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3203-3217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Pinco ◽  
Wei He ◽  
Joy T. Yang

α4β1 integrin plays an important role in cell migration. We show that when ectopically expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, α4β1 is sufficient and required for promoting protrusion of broad lamellipodia in response to scratch-wounding, whereas α5β1 does not have this effect. By time-lapse microscopy of cells expressing an α4/green fluorescent protein fusion protein, we show that α4β1 forms transient puncta at the leading edge of cells that begin to protrude lamellipodia in response to scratch-wounding. The cells expressing a mutant α4/green fluorescent protein that binds paxillin at a reduced level had a faster response to scratch-wounding, forming α4-positive puncta and protruding lamellipodia much earlier. While enhancing lamellipodia protrusion, this mutation reduces random motility of the cells in Transwell assays, indicating that lamellipodia protrusion and random motility are distinct types of motile activities that are differentially regulated by interactions between α4β1 and paxillin. Finally, we show that, at the leading edge, α4-positive puncta and paxillin-positive focal complexes/adhesions do not colocalize, but α4β1 and paxillin colocalize partially in ruffles. These findings provide evidence for a specific role of α4β1 in lamellipodia protrusion that is distinct from the motility-promoting functions of α5β1 and other integrins that mediate cell adhesion and signaling events through focal complexes and focal adhesions.

2001 ◽  
Vol 357 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien PLANÇON ◽  
Marie-Christine MOREL-KOPP ◽  
Elisabeth SCHAFFNER-RECKINGER ◽  
Ping CHEN ◽  
Nelly KIEFFER

Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as an autofluorescent tag, we report the first successful visualization of a β3 integrin in a living cell. GFP fused in frame to the cytoplasmic tail of either αIIb or β3 allowed normal expression, heterodimerization, processing and surface exposure of αIIbGFPβ3 and αIIbβ3GFP receptors in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Direct microscopic observation of the autofluorescent cells in suspension following antibody-induced αIIbβ3 capping revealed an intense autofluorescent cap corresponding to unlabelled immunoclustered GFP-tagged αIIbβ3. GFP-tagged αIIbβ3 receptors mediated fibrinogen-dependent cell adhesion, were readily detectable in focal adhesions of unstained living cells and triggered p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation similar to wild-type αIIbβ3 (where FAK corresponds to focal adhesion kinase). However, GFP tagged to β3, but not to αIIb, induced spontaneous CHO cell aggregation in the presence of soluble fibrinogen, as well as binding of the fibrinogen mimetic monoclonal antibody PAC1 in the absence of αIIbβ3 receptor activation. Time-lapse imaging of living transfectants revealed a characteristic redistribution of GFP-tagged αIIbβ3 during the early stages of cell attachment and spreading, starting with αIIbβ3 clustering at the rim of the cell contact area, that gradually overlapped with the boundary of the attached cell, and, with the onset of cell spreading, to a reorganization of αIIbβ3 in focal adhesions. Taken together, our results demonstrate that (1) fusion of GFP to the cytoplasmic tail of either αIIb or β3 integrin subunits allows normal cell surface expression of a functional receptor, and (2) structural modification of the β3 integrin cytoplasmic tail, rather than the αIIb subunit, plays a major role in αIIbβ3 affinity modulation. With the successful direct visualization of functional αIIbβ3 receptors in living cells, the generation of autofluorescent integrins in transgenic animals will become possible, allowing new approaches to study the dynamics of integrin functions.


BioTechniques ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R Denn ◽  
Joseph M Schober

Cellular redox changes are common in apoptosis, immune function, signaling pathways and cancer. The authors aimed to develop a single-wavelength method using the superior fluorescence sensitivity of a flow cytometer for measuring redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein signal during oxidative stress in cell lines. The single-wavelength method was able to discern small differences in oxidative stress between cell lines and between the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments within the same cell line. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, the mitochondrial matrix compartment was more sensitive to oxidative stress compared with MDA-MB-231 cells, and the rapid changes in redox state were followed by a slow recovery phase. The authors conclude that this simplified method is useful and preferred for studies where alterations in overall redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein expression are controlled.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranati Samadder ◽  
Robert Bittman ◽  
Hoe-Sup Byun ◽  
Gilbert Arthur

Glycosylated antitumor ether lipids (GAELs) have superior anticancer properties relative to the alkyllysophospholipid class, but there have been no studies of the mechanisms of these compounds. The prototype GAEL, 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methyl-3-O-(2′-amino-2′-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (Gln), effectively killed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking key molecules involved in caspase-dependent apoptosis, and cell death was not prevented by caspase inhibitors. Gln did not cause a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, even in rounded-up dying cells. Gln stimulated the appearance and accumulation of LC3-II, a protein marker for autophagy, in a variety of cells, including wild-type MEFs, but not in MEFs lacking ATG5, a key protein required for autophagy. Gln induced LC3 puncta formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing a LC3–green fluorescent protein fusion protein. Thus, Gln appears to induce autophagy. Autophagy was mTOR-independent and was not inhibited by 3-methyladenine or wortmannin. Although Gln is toxic, cellular ability to undergo autophagy was not essential for its toxicity. Furthermore, the GAEL analog 2-deoxy-C-Glc induced LC3 puncta formation but did not kill the cells. Gln, but not 2-deoxy-C-Glc, caused the accumulation of cytoplasmic acidic vacuoles in the cells. Our data suggest that GAELs may activate autophagy; however, GAELs do not kill cells by apoptosis or autophagy but rather by a paraptosis-like cell death mechanism.


1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2297-2307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Boudonck ◽  
Liam Dolan ◽  
Peter J. Shaw

Coiled bodies are nuclear organelles that contain components of at least three RNA-processing pathways: pre-mRNA splicing, histone mRNA 3′- maturation, and pre-rRNA processing. Their function remains unknown. However, it has been speculated that coiled bodies may be sites of splicing factor assembly and/or recycling, play a role in histone mRNA 3′-processing, or act as nuclear transport or sorting structures. To study the dynamics of coiled bodies in living cells, we have stably expressed a U2B"–green fluorescent protein fusion in tobacco BY-2 cells and in Arabidopsis plants. Time-lapse confocal microscopy has shown that coiled bodies are mobile organelles in plant cells. We have observed movements of coiled bodies in the nucleolus, in the nucleoplasm, and from the periphery of the nucleus into the nucleolus, which suggests a transport function for coiled bodies. Furthermore, we have observed coalescence of coiled bodies, which suggests a mechanism for the decrease in coiled body number during the cell cycle. Deletion analysis of the U2B"gene construct has shown that the first RNP-80 motif is sufficient for localization to the coiled body.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mingueneau ◽  
A. Chaix ◽  
N. Scotti ◽  
J. Chaix ◽  
A. Reynders ◽  
...  

In the present article, we describe a 3-day experimental workshop on glycemia regulation and type 1 diabetes that engages students in open-ended investigations and guided experiments leading to results that are not already known to them. After an initial questioning phase during which students observe PowerPoint slides depicting the glycemia (blood glucose levels) of individuals in various situations, students design, execute, and interpret experiments to address one of the following questions: 1) Which criteria must an animal model of diabetes fulfill? 2) How do pancreatic cells maintain glycemia constant? and 3) Is there a way to produce an insulin protein similar to the one released by human pancreatic cells? Students then 1) measure glycemia and glycosuria in control mice and in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes (Alloxan-treated mice), 2) measure the release of insulin by pancreatic β-cells (INS-1 cell line) in response to different concentrations of glucose in the extracellular medium, and 3) transfect Chinese hamster ovary cells with a plasmid coding for green fluorescent protein, observe green fluorescent protein fluorescence of some of the transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells under the microscope, and observe the characteristics of human insulin protein and its three-dimensional conformation using RASMOL software. At the end of the experimental session, students make posters and present their work to researchers. Back at school, they may also present their work to their colleagues.


2001 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 881-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Beningo ◽  
Micah Dembo ◽  
Irina Kaverina ◽  
J. Victor Small ◽  
Yu-li Wang

Fibroblast migration involves complex mechanical interactions with the underlying substrate. Although tight substrate contact at focal adhesions has been studied for decades, the role of focal adhesions in force transduction remains unclear. To address this question, we have mapped traction stress generated by fibroblasts expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-zyxin. Surprisingly, the overall distribution of focal adhesions only partially resembles the distribution of traction stress. In addition, detailed analysis reveals that the faint, small adhesions near the leading edge transmit strong propulsive tractions, whereas large, bright, mature focal adhesions exert weaker forces. This inverse relationship is unique to the leading edge of motile cells, and is not observed in the trailing edge or in stationary cells. Furthermore, time-lapse analysis indicates that traction forces decrease soon after the appearance of focal adhesions, whereas the size and zyxin concentration increase. As focal adhesions mature, changes in structure, protein content, or phosphorylation may cause the focal adhesion to change its function from the transmission of strong propulsive forces, to a passive anchorage device for maintaining a spread cell morphology.


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 7993-8004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhibing Zhang ◽  
Rossana Sapiro ◽  
David Kapfhamer ◽  
Maja Bucan ◽  
Jeff Bray ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT cDNAs were cloned for the murine and human orthologues of Chlamydomonas PF20, a component of the alga axoneme central apparatus that is required for flagellar motility. The mammalian genes encode transcripts of 1.4 and 2.5 kb that are highly expressed in testis. The two transcripts appear to arise from alternative transcription start sites. The murine Pf20 gene was mapped to chromosome 1, syntenic with the location of the human gene on chromosome 2. An antibody generated against an N-terminal sequence of mouse Pf20 recognized a 71-kDa protein in sperm and testis extracts. Immunocytochemistry localized Pf20 to the tails of permeabilized sperm; electron microscope immunocytochemistry showed that Pf20 was located in the axoneme central apparatus. A murine Pf20-green fluorescent protein fusion protein expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells accumulated in the cytoplasm. When coexpressed with Spag6, the mammalian orthologue of Chlamydomonas PF16, Pf20 was colocalized with Spag6 on polymerized microtubules. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated interaction of the Pf20 WD repeats with Spag6. Pf20 was markedly reduced in sperm collected from mice lacking Spag6, which are infertile due to a motility defect. Our observations provide the first evidence for an association between mammalian orthologues of two Chlamydomonas proteins known to be critical for axoneme structure and function.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (23) ◽  
pp. 11339-11346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaly Boyko ◽  
Jessica van der Laak ◽  
Jacqueline Ferralli ◽  
Elena Suslova ◽  
Myoung-Ok Kwon ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Intercellular transport of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA involves the accumulation of virus-encoded movement protein (MP) in plasmodesmata (Pd), in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived inclusion bodies, and on microtubules. The functional significance of these interactions in viral RNA (vRNA) movement was tested in planta and in protoplasts with TMV derivatives expressing N- and C-terminal deletion mutants of MP fused to the green fluorescent protein. Deletion of 55 amino acids from the C terminus of MP did not interfere with the vRNA transport function of MP:GFP but abolished its accumulation in inclusion bodies, indicating that accumulation of MP at these ER-derived sites is not a requirement for function in vRNA intercellular movement. Deletion of 66 amino acids from the C terminus of MP inactivated the protein, and viral infection occurred only upon complementation in plants transgenic for MP. The functional deficiency of the mutant protein correlated with its inability to associate with microtubules and, independently, with its absence from Pd at the leading edge of infection. Inactivation of MP by N-terminal deletions was correlated with the inability of the protein to target Pd throughout the infection site, whereas its associations with microtubules and inclusion bodies were unaffected. The observations support a role of MP-interacting microtubules in TMV RNA movement and indicate that MP targets microtubules and Pd by independent mechanisms. Moreover, accumulation of MP in Pd late in infection is insufficient to support viral movement, confirming that intercellular transport of vRNA relies on the presence of MP in Pd at the leading edge of infection.


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