scholarly journals Myosin-Va Binds to and Mechanochemically Couples Microtubules to Actin Filaments

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy T. Cao ◽  
Wakam Chang ◽  
Sarah E. Masters ◽  
Mark S. Mooseker
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Chick Brain ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Fluorescence And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Free Microtubules ◽  
Myosin Va ◽  
Cross Links

Myosin-Va was identified as a microtubule binding protein by cosedimentation analysis in the presence of microtubules. Native myosin-Va purified from chick brain, as well as the expressed globular tail domain of this myosin, but not head domain bound to microtubule-associated protein-free microtubules. Binding of myosin-Va to microtubules was saturable and of moderately high affinity (∼1:24 Myosin-Va:tubulin; Kd = 70 nM). Myosin-Va may bind to microtubules via its tail domain because microtubule-bound myosin-Va retained the ability to bind actin filaments resulting in the formation of cross-linked gels of microtubules and actin, as assessed by fluorescence and electron microscopy. In low Ca2+, ATP addition induced dissolution of these gels, but not release of myosin-Va from MTs. However, in 10 μM Ca2+, ATP addition resulted in the contraction of the gels into aster-like arrays. These results demonstrate that myosin-Va is a microtubule binding protein that cross-links and mechanochemically couples microtubules to actin filaments.

scholarly journals Coronin Promotes the Rapid Assembly and Cross-linking of Actin Filaments and May Link the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons in Yeast

1999 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Goode ◽  
Jonathan J. Wong ◽  
Anne-Christine Butty ◽  
Matthias Peter ◽  
Ashley L. McCormack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Functional Link ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Cross Links

Coronin is a highly conserved actin-associated protein that until now has had unknown biochemical activities. Using microtubule affinity chromatography, we coisolated actin and a homologue of coronin, Crn1p, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell extracts. Crn1p is an abundant component of the cortical actin cytoskeleton and binds to F-actin with high affinity (Kd 6 × 10−9 M). Crn1p promotes the rapid barbed-end assembly of actin filaments and cross-links filaments into bundles and more complex networks, but does not stabilize them. Genetic analyses with a crn1Δ deletion mutation also are consistent with Crn1p regulating filament assembly rather than stability. Filament cross-linking depends on the coiled coil domain of Crn1p, suggesting a requirement for Crn1p dimerization. Assembly-promoting activity is independent of cross-linking and could be due to nucleation and/or accelerated polymerization. Crn1p also binds to microtubules in vitro, and microtubule binding is enhanced by the presence of actin filaments. Microtubule binding is mediated by a region of Crn1p that contains sequences (not found in other coronins) homologous to the microtubule binding region of MAP1B. These activities, considered with microtubule defects observed in crn1Δ cells and in cells overexpressing Crn1p, suggest that Crn1p may provide a functional link between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in yeast.

Subcellular localization of GFP-myosin-V in live mouse melanocytes

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (17) ◽  
pp. 2853-2865 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Tsakraklides ◽  
K. Krogh ◽  
L. Wang ◽  
J.C. Bizario ◽  
R.E. Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Motor Domain ◽  
Chick Brain ◽  
Myosin V ◽  
Myosin Va ◽  
Myosin Vb ◽  
In Cells

Class-V myosins are two-headed actin-based mechanoenzymes that function in the transport and subcellular localization of organelles and possibly in the outgrowth of cellular processes. To determine which domains of myosin-V are involved in intracellular localization of this motor protein, we have expressed fusions of the green fluorescent protein with segments from two distinct myosin-V heavy chains. The expression patterns of constructs encoding four different domains of chick brain myosin-Va were compared to a single construct encoding the globular tail region of mouse myosin-Vb. In transfected mouse melanocytes, expression of the NH(2)-terminal head (catalytic domain) of chick brain myosin-Va codistributed with actin filaments throughout the cytoplasm. A similar construct encoding the myosin-Va head with the associated neck (light chain binding sites), also codistributed with actin filaments. The GFP-head-neck peptide was also highly concentrated in the tips of filopodia in B16 melanocytes wild type for myosin-Va (MYO5a gene), but was concentrated throughout the entire filopodia of S91-6 melanocytes derived from dilute mice with mutations in the MYO5a gene. Evidence is also presented that the globular tail of myosin-Va, but not myosin-Vb, targets this motor molecule to the centrosome as confirmed by colocalization in cells stained with antibodies to (gamma)-tubulin. Expression of the GFP-myosin-Va globular tail causes displacement of endogenous myosin-V from centrosomes as visualized by immunolabeling with antibodies to the head domain of myosin-V. Treatment with the microtubule-disrupting drug nocodazole markedly reduces myosin-V staining at the centrosome. In contrast, there was no detectable diminution of myosin-V staining at the centrosome in cells treated with the actin filament-disrupting drug cytochalasin D. Thus, while localization of the myosin-V motor domain to actin-rich regions is consistent with conventional models of actomyosin-based motility, localization to the centrosome occurs in the complete absence of the myosin-V motor domain and is dependent on intact microtubules.

The structure of cortical cytoplasm

1982 ◽  
Vol 299 (1095) ◽  
pp. 275-289 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Other ◽  
Filament Length ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Dimensional Lattice ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Cross Links ◽  
Contractile Forces

Actin-rich cortical cytoplasm of phagocytic leucocytes forms pseudopodia and controls cell shape and movement by generating directional propulsive and contractile forces. Proteins purified from leucocytes form and deform an actin matrix. Actinbinding protein (ABP) cross-links actin filaments into a three-dimensional lattice with perpendicular branches. This structure, which can be visualized in the electron microscope, is consistent with physical properties of actin-ABP matrices. Gelsolin binds one end of actin filaments with high affinity in the presence of calcium; acumentin, another protein, constitutively binds the other end with low affinity. Together these proteins can control actin filament length and thereby regulate expansion (propulsion) or collapse of the actin network. The assembly state of the network also controls myosin-based contractile forces. A tug-of-war decides the direction of lattice movement, regions of lesser structure tending to move toward regions of greater structure.

scholarly journals A calcium- and pH-regulated protein from Dictyostelium discoideum that cross-links actin filaments.

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 466-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Condeelis ◽  
M Vahey
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Maximal Inhibition ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Cross Links

We have purified an actin binding protein from amebas of Dictyostelium discoideum which we call 95,000-dalton protein (95K). This protein is rod shaped, approximately 40 nm long in the electron microscope, contains two subunits measuring 95,000 daltons each, and cross-links actin filaments. Cross-linking activity was demonstrated by using falling-ball viscometry, Ostwald viscometry, and electron microscopy. Cross-linking activity is optimal at 0.1 microM Ca++ and pH 6.8, but is progressively inhibited at higher Ca++ and pH levels over a physiological range. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 1.6 microM free Ca++ and pH 7.3, respectively. Sedimentation experiments demonstrate that elevated Ca++ and pH inhibit the binding of 95K to F-actin which explains the loss of cross-linking activity. Electron microscopy demonstrates that under optimal conditions for cross-linking, 95K protein bundles actin filaments and that this bundling is inhibited by microM Ca++. Severing of actin filaments by 95K was not observed in any of the various assays under any of the solution conditions used. Hence, 95K protein is a rod-shaped, dimeric, Ca++- and pH-regulated actin binding protein that cross-links but does not sever actin filaments.

Binding of Human Platelet Glycoprotein lb and Actin to Fragments of Actin-Binding Protein

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (02) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M Aakhus ◽  
J Michael Wilkinson ◽  
Nils Olav Solum
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Calpain Inhibitors

SummaryActin-binding protein (ABP) is degraded into fragments of 190 and 90 kDa by calpain. A monoclonal antibody (MAb TI10) against the 90 kDa fragment of ABP coprecipitated with the glycoprotein lb (GP lb) peak observed on crossed immunoelectrophoresis of Triton X-100 extracts of platelets prepared without calpain inhibitors. MAb PM6/317 against the 190 kDa fragment was not coprecipitated with the GP lb peak under such conditions. The 90 kDa fragment was adsorbed on protein A agarose from extracts that had been preincubated with antibodies to GP lb. This supports the idea that the GP Ib-ABP interaction resides in the 90 kDa region of ABP. GP lb was sedimented with the Triton-insoluble actin filaments in trace amounts only, and only after high speed centrifugation (100,000 × g, 3 h). Both the 190 kDa and the 90 kDa fragments of ABP were sedimented with the Triton-insoluble actin filaments.

scholarly journals Contact formation during fibroblast locomotion: involvement of membrane ruffles and microtubules.

1988 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 747-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Rinnerthaler ◽  
B Geiger ◽  
J V Small
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fiber Assembly ◽  
Contact Formation ◽  
Contact Patterns ◽  
Fluorescence And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Substrate ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Primordial Cell

We have correlated the motility of the leading edge of fibroblasts, monitored by phase-contrast cinematography, with the relative distributions of several cytoskeletal elements (vinculin, tubulin, and actin) as well as with the contact patterns determined by interference reflection microscopy. This analysis has revealed the involvement of both ruffles and microspikes, as well as microtubules in the initiation of focal contact formation. Nascent vinculin sites within the leading edge or at its base, taken as primordial cell-substrate contacts, were invariably colocalized with sites that showed a history of transient, prolonged, or cyclic ruffling activity. Extended microspike structures, often preceded the formation of ruffles. Immunofluorescent labeling indicated that some of these primordial contacts were in close apposition to the ends of microtubules that penetrated into the leading edge. By fluorescence and electron microscopy short bundles of actin filaments found at the base of the leading edge were identified as presumptive, primordial contacts. It is concluded that ruffles and microspikes, either independently or in combination, initiate and mark the sites for future contact. Plaque proteins then accumulate (within 10-30 s) at the contract site and, beneath ruffles, induce localized bundling of actin filaments. We propose that all primordial contacts support traction for leading edge protrusion but that only some persist long enough to nucleate stress fiber assembly. Microtubules are postulated as the elements that select, stabilize, and potentiate the formation of these latter, long-lived contacts.

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