scholarly journals Synaptopodin is required for stress fiber and contractomere assembly at the epithelial junction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Morris ◽  
Eva Sue ◽  
Caleb Geniesse ◽  
William M Brieher ◽  
Vivian W Tang
Keyword(s):  
Control Cell ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Force Generation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Macromolecular Structure ◽  
Cell Geometry ◽  
Summary Statement ◽  
Myosin Iia ◽  
Epithelial Junction

AbstractThe apical junction of epithelial cells can generate force to control cell geometry and perform contractile processes while maintaining barrier function and cell-cell adhesion. Yet, the structural basis of force generation at the apical junction is not completely understood. Here, we describe 2 actomyosin structures at the apical junction containing synaptopodin, myosin IIB, and alpha-actinin-4. We showed that synaptopodin is required for the assembly of E-cadherin-associated apical stress fibers and a novel macromolecular structure, which we named contractomere. Knockdown of synaptopodin abolished both apical stress fiber and contractomere formation. Moreover, depletion of synaptopodin abolished basal stress fibers, converting myosin IIA sarcomere-like arrangement into a meshwork-type actomyosin organization. We propose a new model of junction dynamics that is dependent on contractomere movement to control epithelial cell boundary and geometry. Our findings reveal 2 actomyosin structures at the epithelial junction and underscore synaptopodin in the assembly of stress fibers and contractomeres.Summary StatementSynaptopodin assembles 2 actomyosin structures at the epithelial junction: apical stress fiber and contractomere. Synaptopodin selectively regulates myosin IIB without altering the level of myosin IIA and is responsible for converting evolutionary-conserved actomyosin meshwork into vertebrate-specific stress fibers.Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Crosstalk between myosin II and formin functions in the regulation of force generation and actomyosin dynamics in stress fibers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukako Nishimura ◽  
Shidong Shi ◽  
Qingsen Li ◽  
Alexander D. Bershadsky ◽  
Virgile Viasnoff
Keyword(s):  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Traction Force ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Force Generation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Fiber Dynamics ◽  
The Relationship

REF52 fibroblasts have a well-developed contractile machinery, the most prominent elements of which are actomyosin stress fibers with highly ordered organization of actin and myosin IIA filaments. The relationship between contractile activity and turnover dynamics of stress fibers is not sufficiently understood. Here, we simultaneously measured the forces exerted by stress fibers (using traction force microscopy or micropillar array sensors) and the dynamics of actin and myosin (using photoconversion-based monitoring of actin incorporation and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of myosin II light chain). Our data revealed new features of the crosstalk between myosin II-driven contractility and stress fiber dynamics. During normal stress fiber turnover, actin incorporated all along the stress fibers and not only at focal adhesions. Incorporation of actin into stress fibers/focal adhesions, as well as actin and myosin II filaments flow along stress fibers, strongly depends on myosin II activity. Myosin II-dependent generation of traction forces does not depend on incorporation of actin into stress fibers per se, but still requires formin activity. This previously overlooked function of formins in maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton connectivity could be the main mechanism of formin involvement in traction force generation.

scholarly journals Calcium waves facilitate and coordinate the contraction of endfeet actin stress fibers in Drosophila interommatidial cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. Ready ◽  
Henry C. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Retinal Surface ◽  
Tensile Forces ◽  
Retinal Epithelium ◽  
Summary Statement ◽  
Convex Curvature ◽  
Actomyosin Contraction ◽  
Fiber Contraction ◽  
Actin Stress Fibers

AbstractActomyosin contraction shapes the Drosophila eye’s panoramic view. The convex curvature of the retinal epithelium, organized in ∼800 close-packed ommatidia, depends upon a fourfold condensation of the retinal floor mediated by contraction of actin stress fibers in the endfeet of interommatidial cells (IOCs). How these tensile forces are coordinated is not known. Here, we discover a novel phenomenon: Ca2+ waves regularly propagate across the IOC network in pupal and adult eyes. Genetic evidence demonstrates that IOC Ca2+ waves are independent of phototransduction, but require inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R), suggesting these waves are mediated by Ca2+ releases from ER stores. Removal of IP3R disrupts stress fibers in IOC endfeet and increases the basal retinal surface by ∼40%, linking IOC waves to facilitating stress fiber contraction and floor morphogenesis. Further, IP3R loss disrupts the organization of a collagen IV network underneath the IOC endfeet, implicating ECM and its interaction with stress fibers in eye morphogenesis. We propose that coordinated Ca2+ spikes in IOC waves promote stress fiber contractions, ensuring an organized application of the planar tensile forces that condense the retinal floor.Summary StatementCa2+ waves have an important role in generating tensile forces to shape the Drosophila eye’s convex curvature. Coordinated Ca2+ spikes facilitate actomyosin contractions at the basal endfeet of interommatidial cells.

scholarly journals Calcium-Sensing Receptor Stimulation in Cultured Glomerular Podocytes Induces TRPC6-Dependent Calcium Entry and RhoA Activation

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1777-1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Tianrong Ji ◽  
Qin Wang ◽  
Kexin Meng ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Action ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Calcium Sensing Receptor ◽  
Rhoa Activity ◽  
Rhoa Activation ◽  
Calcium Sensing

Background/Aims: Recent studies provided compelling evidence that stimulation of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) exerts direct renoprotective action at the glomerular podocyte level. This protective action may be attributed to the RhoA-dependent stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, an immortalized human podocyte cell line was used. Fluo-3 fluorescence was utilized to determine intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and western blotting was used to measure canonical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) protein expression and RhoA activity. Stress fibers were detected by FITC-phalloidin. Results: Activating CaSR with a high extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) or R-568 (a type II CaSR agonist) induces an increase in the [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. This increase in [Ca2+]i is phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent and is smaller in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ than in the presence of 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o. The CaSR activation-induced [Ca2+]i increase is attenuated by the pharmacological blockage of TRPC6 channels or siRNA targeting TRPC6. These data suggest that TRPC6 is involved in CaSR activation-induced Ca2+ influx. Consistent with a previous study, CaSR stimulation results in an increase in RhoA activity. However, the knockdown of TRPC6 significantly abolished the RhoA activity increase induced by CaSR stimulation, suggesting that TRPC6-dependent Ca2+ entry is required for RhoA activation. The activated RhoA is involved in the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions in response to CaSR stimulation because siRNA targeting RhoA attenuated the increase in the stress fiber mediated by CaSR stimulation. Moreover, this effect of CaSR activation on the formation of stress fibers is also abolished by the knockdown of TRPC6. Conclusion: TRPC6 is involved in the regulation of stress fiber formation and focal adhesions via the RhoA pathway in response to CaSR activation. This may explain the direct protective action of CaSR agonists.

scholarly journals Delayed stress fiber formation mediates pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (5) ◽  
pp. L656-L666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Sandbo ◽  
Andrew Lau ◽  
Jacob Kach ◽  
Caitlyn Ngam ◽  
Douglas Yau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Myofibroblast Differentiation ◽  
Latrunculin B ◽  
Stress Fiber Formation ◽  
Actin Expression ◽  
Actin Stress Fibers

Myofibroblast differentiation induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and characterized by de novo expression of smooth muscle (SM)-specific proteins is a key process in wound healing and in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. We have previously shown that TGF-β-induced expression and activation of serum response factor (SRF) is required for this process. In this study, we examined the signaling mechanism for SRF activation by TGF-β as it relates to pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β stimulated a profound, but delayed (18–24 h), activation of Rho kinase and formation of actin stress fibers, which paralleled SM α-actin expression. The translational inhibitor cycloheximide blocked these processes without affecting Smad-dependent gene transcription. Inhibition of Rho kinase by Y-27632 or depolymerization of actin by latrunculin B resulted in inhibition TGF-β-induced SRF activation and SM α-actin expression, having no effect on Smad signaling. Conversely, stabilization of actin stress fibers by jasplakinolide was sufficient to drive these processes in the absence of TGF-β. TGF-β promoted a delayed nuclear accumulation of the SRF coactivator megakaryoblastic leukemia-1 (MKL1)/myocardin-related transcription factor-A, which was inhibited by latrunculin B. Furthermore, TGF-β also induced MKL1 expression, which was inhibited by latrunculin B, by SRF inhibitor CCG-1423, or by SRF knockdown. Together, these data suggest a triphasic model for myofibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β that involves 1) initial Smad-dependent expression of intermediate signaling molecules driving Rho activation and stress fiber formation, 2) nuclear accumulation of MKL1 and activation of SRF as a result of actin polymerization, and 3) SRF-dependent expression of MKL1, driving further myofibroblast differentiation.

Mechanically Optimized Orientation of Intracellular Stress Fibers Under Cyclic Stretch

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Yamada ◽  
Tohru Takemasa ◽  
Takami Yamaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Continuum Mechanics ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Length Change ◽  
Mechanical Stimulus ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Cyclic Stretch ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Biological Phenomenon ◽  
The Continuum

Abstract To elucidate the orientation of stress fibers in a cultured endothelial cell under cyclic stretch, we hypothesized that a stress fiber aligns so as to minimize the summation of its length change under cyclic stretch, and that there is a limit in the sensitivity of cellular response to the mechanical stimulus. Results from numerical simulations based on the continuum mechanics describe the experimental observations under uniaxial stretch well. They give us an insight to the biological phenomenon of the orientation in stress fibers under biaxial stretch from the viewpoint of mechanical engineering.

Regulation of the RhoA pathway in human endothelial cell spreading on type IV collagen: role of calcium influx

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (19) ◽  
pp. 3205-3213 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Masiero ◽  
K.A. Lapidos ◽  
I. Ambudkar ◽  
E.C. Kohn
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Type Iv Collagen ◽  
Cell Spreading ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Stress Fiber Formation

We have shown that nonvoltage-operated Ca(2+) entry regulates human umbilical vein endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation on type IV collagen. We now demonstrate a requirement for Ca(2+) influx for activation of the RhoA pathway during endothelial cell spreading on type IV collagen. Reorganization of actin into stress fibers was complete when the cells where fully spread at 90 minutes. No actin organization into stress fibers was seen in endothelial cells plated on type I collagen, indicating a permissive effect of type IV collagen. CAI, a blocker of nonvoltage-operated Ca(2+) channels, prevented development of stress fiber formation in endothelial cells on type IV collagen. This permissive effect was augmented by Ca(2+) influx, as stimulated by 0. 5 microM thapsigargin or 0.1 microM ionomycin, yielding faster development of actin stress fibers. Ca(2+) influx and actin rearrangement in response to thapsigargin and ionomycin were abrogated by CAI. Activated, membrane-bound RhoA is a substrate for C3 exoenzyme which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates RhoA, preventing actin stress fiber formation. Pretreatment of endothelial cells with C3 exoenzyme prevented basal and thapsigargin-augmented stress fiber formation. While regulation of Ca(2+) influx did not alter RhoA translocation, it reduced in vitro ADP-ribosylation of RhoA (P(2)<0. 05), suggesting Ca(2+) influx is needed for RhoA activation during spreading on type IV collagen; no Ca(2+) regulated change in RhoA was seen in HUVECs spreading on type I collagen matrix. Blockade of Ca(2+) influx of HUVEC spread on type IV collagen also reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of p190Rho-GAP and blocked thapsigargin-enhanced binding of p190Rho-GAP to focal adhesion kinase. Thus, Ca(2+) influx is necessary for RhoA activation and for linkage of the RhoA/stress fiber cascade to the focal adhesion/focal adhesion kinase pathway during human umbilical vein endothelial cell spreading on type IV collagen.

Indomethacin Delays Gastric Restitution: Association with the Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase and Tensin Phosphorylation and Reduced Actin Stress Fibers

2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (6) ◽  
pp. 412-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre L. Szabó ◽  
Rama Pai ◽  
Michael K. Jones ◽  
George R. Ehring ◽  
Hirofumi Kawanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fiber Formation ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber Formation

Repair of superficial gastric mucosal injury is accomplished by the process of restitution—migration of epithelial cells to restore continuity of the mucosal surface. Actin filaments, focal adhesions, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) play crucial roles in cell motility essential for restitution. We studied whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) and/or indomethacin (IND) affect cell migration, actin stress fiber formation, and/or phosphorylation of FAK and tensin in wounded gastric monolayers. Human gastric epithelial monolayers (MKN 28 cells) were wounded and treated with either vehicle or 0.5 mM IND for 16 hr followed by EGF. EGF treatment significantly stimulated cell migration and actin stress fiber formation, and increased FAK localization to focal adhesions, and phosphorylation of FAK and tensin, whereas IND inhibited all these at the baseline and EGF-stimulated conditions. IND-induced inhibition of FAK phosphorylation preceded changes in actin polymerization, indicating that actin depolymerization might be the consequence of decreased FAK activity. In in vivo experiments, rats received either vehicle or IND (5 mg/kg i.g.), and 3 min later, they received water or 5% hypertonic NaCl; gastric mucosa was obtained at 1, 4, and 8 hr after injury. Four and 8 hr after hypertonic injury, FAK phosphorylation was induced in gastric mucosa compared with controls. IND pretreatment significantly delayed epithelial restitution in vivo, and reduced FAK phosphorylation and recruitment to adhesion points, as well as actin stress fiber formation in migrating surface epithelial cells. Our study indicates that FAK, tensin, and actin stress fibers are likely mediators of EGF-stimulated cell migration in wounded human gastric monolayers and potential targets for IND-induced inhibition of restitution.

scholarly journals The cryoelectron microscopy structure of the human CDK-activating kinase

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (37) ◽  
pp. 22849-22857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basil J. Greber ◽  
Juan M. Perez-Bertoldi ◽  
Kif Lim ◽  
Anthony T. Iavarone ◽  
Daniel B. Toso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Cdk Activating Kinase

The human CDK-activating kinase (CAK), a complex composed of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7, cyclin H, and MAT1, is a critical regulator of transcription initiation and the cell cycle. It acts by phosphorylating the C-terminal heptapeptide repeat domain of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) subunit RPB1, which is an important regulatory event in transcription initiation by Pol II, and it phosphorylates the regulatory T-loop of CDKs that control cell cycle progression. Here, we have determined the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the catalytic module of human CAK, revealing the structural basis of its assembly and providing insight into CDK7 activation in this context. The unique third component of the complex, MAT1, substantially extends the interaction interface between CDK7 and cyclin H, explaining its role as a CAK assembly factor, and it forms interactions with the CDK7 T-loop, which may contribute to enhancing CAK activity. We have also determined the structure of the CAK in complex with the covalently bound inhibitor THZ1 in order to provide insight into the binding of inhibitors at the CDK7 active site and to aid in the rational design of therapeutic compounds.

Stress fiber organization regulated by MLCK and Rho-kinase in cultured human fibroblasts

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (6) ◽  
pp. C1669-C1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuo Katoh ◽  
Yumiko Kano ◽  
Mutsuki Amano ◽  
Kozo Kaibuchi ◽  
Keigi Fujiwara
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Human Fibroblasts ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Fiber System ◽  
Rho Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Calmodulin Inhibitors

To understand the roles of Rho-kinase and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) for the contraction and organization of stress fibers, we treated cultured human foreskin fibroblasts with several MLCK, Rho-kinase, or calmodulin inhibitors and analyzed F-actin organization in the cells. Some cells were transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled actin, and the effects of inhibitors were also studied in these living cells. The Rho-kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and HA1077 caused disassembly of stress fibers and focal adhesions in the central portion of the cell within 1 h. However, stress fibers located in the periphery of the cell were not severely affected by the Rho-kinase inhibitors. When these cells were washed with fresh medium, the central stress fibers and focal adhesions gradually reformed, and within 3 h the cells were completely recovered. ML-7 and KT5926 are specific MLCK inhibitors and caused disruption and/or shortening of peripheral stress fibers, leaving the central fibers relatively intact even though their number was reduced. The calmodulin inhibitors W-5 and W-7 gave essentially the same results as the MLCK inhibitors. The MLCK and calmodulin inhibitors, but not the Rho-kinase inhibitors, caused cells to lose the spread morphology, indicating that the peripheral fibers play a major role in keeping the flattened state of the cell. When stress fiber models were reactivated, the peripheral fibers contracted before the central fibers. Thus our study shows that there are at least two different stress fiber systems in the cell. The central stress fiber system is dependent more on the activity of Rho-kinase than on that of MLCK, while the peripheral stress fiber system depends on MLCK.

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