scholarly journals Biochemical characterization of actin assembly mechanisms with ALS-associated profilin variants

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinbei Liu ◽  
Morgan L Pimm ◽  
Brian Haarer ◽  
Andrew T Brawner ◽  
Jessica L. Henty-Ridilla
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Binding Constants ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Biochemical Comparison

Eight separate mutations in the actin-binding protein profilin-1 have been identified as a rare cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Profilin is essential for many neuronal cell processes through its regulation of lipids, nuclear signals, and cytoskeletal dynamics, including actin filament assembly. Direct interactions between profilin and actin monomers inhibit actin filament polymerization. In contrast, profilin can also stimulate polymerization by simultaneously binding actin monomers and proline-rich tracts found in other proteins. Whether the ALS-associated mutations in profilin compromise these actin assembly functions is unclear. We performed a quantitative biochemical comparison of the direct and formin-mediated impact for the eight ALS-associated profilin variants on actin assembly using classic protein-binding and single-filament microscopy assays. We determined that the binding constants of each profilin for actin monomers generally correlates with the actin nucleation strength associated with each ALS-related profilin. In the presence of formin, the A20T, R136W, Q139L, and C71G variants failed to activate the elongation phase of actin assembly. This diverse range of formin-activities is not fully explained through profilin-PLP interactions, as all ALS-associated variants bind a formin-derived PLP peptide with similar affinities. However, chemical denaturation experiments suggest that the folding stability of these profilins impact some of these effects on actin assembly. Thus, changes in profilin protein stability and alterations in actin filament polymerization may both contribute to the profilin-mediated actin disruptions in ALS.

scholarly journals Actin-depolymerizing Factor and Cofilin-1 Play Overlapping Roles in Promoting Rapid F-Actin Depolymerization in Mammalian Nonmuscle Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 649-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirta Hotulainen ◽  
Eija Paunola ◽  
Maria K. Vartiainen ◽  
Pekka Lappalainen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Motility ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Depolymerizing Factor ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Nonmuscle Cells ◽  
In Cells

Actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilins are small actin-binding proteins found in all eukaryotes. In vitro, ADF/cofilins promote actin dynamics by depolymerizing and severing actin filaments. However, whether ADF/cofilins contribute to actin dynamics in cells by disassembling “old” actin filaments or by promoting actin filament assembly through their severing activity is a matter of controversy. Analysis of mammalian ADF/cofilins is further complicated by the presence of multiple isoforms, which may contribute to actin dynamics by different mechanisms. We show that two isoforms, ADF and cofilin-1, are expressed in mouse NIH 3T3, B16F1, and Neuro 2A cells. Depleting cofilin-1 and/or ADF by siRNA leads to an accumulation of F-actin and to an increase in cell size. Cofilin-1 and ADF seem to play overlapping roles in cells, because the knockdown phenotype of either protein could be rescued by overexpression of the other one. Cofilin-1 and ADF knockdown cells also had defects in cell motility and cytokinesis, and these defects were most pronounced when both ADF and cofilin-1 were depleted. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis and studies with an actin monomer-sequestering drug, latrunculin-A, demonstrated that these phenotypes arose from diminished actin filament depolymerization rates. These data suggest that mammalian ADF and cofilin-1 promote cytoskeletal dynamics by depolymerizing actin filaments and that this activity is critical for several processes such as cytokinesis and cell motility.

scholarly journals Post-mitotic expansion of cell nuclei requires ACTN4-mediated nuclear actin filament bundling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Krippner ◽  
Jannik Winkelmeier ◽  
Carsten Schwan ◽  
Julian Knerr ◽  
David Virant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Mitotic Cell ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Nuclear Actin ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Nuclear Expansion

AbstractThe actin cytoskeleton operates in a multitude of cellular processes including cell shape and migration, mechanoregulation, as well as membrane or organelle dynamics. However, its filamentous properties and functions inside the mammalian cell nucleus are less well explored. We previously described transient actin assembly at mitotic exit that promotes nuclear expansion during chromatin decondensation. Here, we identify non-muscle ACTN4 as a critical regulator to facilitate F-actin formation, reorganization and bundling during postmitotic nuclear expansion. ACTN4 binds to nuclear actin filaments and ACTN4 clusters associate with nuclear F-actin in a highly dynamic fashion. ACTN4 but not ACTN1 is required for proper postmitotic nuclear volume expansion, mediated by its actin binding domain. Using super-resolution imaging to quantify actin filament numbers and widths in individual nuclei we find that ACTN4 is necessary for postmitotic nuclear actin assembly and actin filament bundling. Our findings uncover a nuclear cytoskeletal function for ACTN4 to control nuclear size during mitotic cell division.

Single-molecule imaging of IQGAP1 regulating actin filament dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Hoeprich ◽  
Amy N. Sinclair ◽  
Shashank Shekhar ◽  
Bruce L. Goode
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Functional Effect ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Filament Dynamics ◽  
Do So

IQGAP is a conserved family of actin-binding proteins with essential roles in cell motility, cytokinesis, and cell adhesion, yet there remains a limited understanding of how IQGAP proteins directly influence actin filament dynamics. To close this gap, we used single-molecule and single-filament TIRF microscopy to observe IQGAP regulating actin dynamics in real time. To our knowledge, this is the first study to do so. Our results demonstrate that full-length human IQGAP1 forms dimers that stably bind to actin filament sides and transiently cap barbed ends. These interactions organize filaments into thin bundles, suppress barbed end growth, and inhibit filament disassembly. Surprisingly, each activity depends on distinct combinations of IQGAP1 domains and/or dimerization, suggesting that different mechanisms underlie each functional effect on actin. These observations have important implications for how IQGAP functions as an actin regulator in vivo, and how it may be regulated in different biological settings. [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text]

scholarly journals Single-molecule imaging of IQGAP1 regulating actin filament dynamics in real time

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J Hoeprich ◽  
Shashank Shekhar ◽  
Bruce L Goode
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Functional Effect ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Filament Dynamics ◽  
Do So

IQGAP is a conserved family of actin-binding proteins with essential roles in cell motility, cytokinesis, and cell adhesion, yet it has remained poorly understood how IQGAP proteins directly regulate actin filament dynamics. To close this gap, we used single-molecule and single-filament TIRF microscopy to directly visualize IQGAP regulating actin dynamics in real time. To our knowledge, this is the first study to do so. Our results show that full-length human IQGAP1 forms dimers that stably bind to filament sides and transiently cap barbed ends. These interactions organize actin filaments into thin bundles, suppress barbed end growth, and inhibit filament disassembly. Surprisingly, each activity depends on distinct combinations of IQGAP1 domains and/or dimerization, suggesting that different mechanisms underlie each functional effect on actin. These observations have important implications for how IQGAP functions as a direct actin regulator in vivo, and how it is deployed and regulated in different biological settings.

scholarly journals LC3 and STRAP regulate actin filament assembly by JMY during autophagosome formation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Hu ◽  
R. Dyche Mullins
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Actin Networks ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
Actin Comet Tails

AbstractDuring autophagy actin filament networks move and remodel cellular membranes to form autophagosomes that enclose and metabolize cytoplasmic contents. Two actin regulators, WHAMM and JMY, participate in autophagosome formation, but the signals linking autophagy to actin assembly are poorly understood. We show that, in non-starved cells, cytoplasmic JMY co-localizes with STRAP, a regulator of JMY’s nuclear functions, on non-motile vesicles with no associated actin networks. Upon starvation, JMY shifts to motile, LC3-containing membranes that move on actin comet tails. LC3 enhances JMY’s de novo actin nucleation activity via a cryptic actin-binding sequence near JMY’s N-terminus, and STRAP inhibits JMY’s ability to nucleate actin and activate the Arp2/3 complex. Cytoplasmic STRAP negatively regulates autophagy. Finally, we use purified proteins to reconstitute LC3‐ and JMY-dependent actin network formation on membranes, and inhibition of network formation by STRAP. We conclude that LC3 and STRAP regulate JMY’s actin assembly activities in trans during autophagy.eTOC BlurbThe actin regulator JMY creates filament networks that move membranes during autophagy. We find that, in unstarved cells, JMY is inhibited by interaction with the STRAP protein, but upon starvation JMY is recruited away from STRAP and activated by LC3.

scholarly journals Distinct VASP tetramers synergize in the processive elongation of individual actin filaments from clustered arrays

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (29) ◽  
pp. E5815-E5824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Brühmann ◽  
Dmitry S. Ushakov ◽  
Moritz Winterhoff ◽  
Richard B. Dickinson ◽  
Ute Curth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Membrane Protrusions ◽  
Polypeptide Chains

Ena/VASP proteins act as actin polymerases that drive the processive elongation of filament barbed ends in membrane protrusions or at the surface of bacterial pathogens. Based on previous analyses of fast and slow elongating VASP proteins by in vitro total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) and kinetic and thermodynamic measurements, we established a kinetic model of Ena/VASP-mediated actin filament elongation. At steady state, it entails that tetrameric VASP uses one of its arms to processively track growing filament barbed ends while three G-actin–binding sites (GABs) on other arms are available to recruit and deliver monomers to the filament tip, suggesting that VASP operates as a single tetramer in solution or when clustered on a surface, albeit processivity and resistance toward capping protein (CP) differ dramatically between both conditions. Here, we tested the model by variation of the oligomerization state and by increase of the number of GABs on individual polypeptide chains. In excellent agreement with model predictions, we show that in solution the rates of filament elongation directly correlate with the number of free GABs. Strikingly, however, irrespective of the oligomerization state or presence of additional GABs, filament elongation on a surface invariably proceeded with the same rate as with the VASP tetramer, demonstrating that adjacent VASP molecules synergize in the elongation of a single filament. Additionally, we reveal that actin ATP hydrolysis is not required for VASP-mediated filament assembly. Finally, we show evidence for the requirement of VASP to form tetramers and provide an amended model of processive VASP-mediated actin assembly in clustered arrays.

scholarly journals LC3 and STRAP regulate actin filament assembly by JMY during autophagosome formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Hu ◽  
R. Dyche Mullins
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Actin Networks ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
Actin Comet Tails

During autophagy, actin filament networks move and remodel cellular membranes to form autophagosomes that enclose and metabolize cytoplasmic contents. Two actin regulators, WHAMM and JMY, participate in autophagosome formation, but the signals linking autophagy to actin assembly are poorly understood. We show that, in nonstarved cells, cytoplasmic JMY colocalizes with STRAP, a regulator of JMY’s nuclear functions, on nonmotile vesicles with no associated actin networks. Upon starvation, JMY shifts to motile, LC3-containing membranes that move on actin comet tails. LC3 enhances JMY’s de novo actin nucleation activity via a cryptic actin-binding sequence near JMY’s N terminus, and STRAP inhibits JMY’s ability to nucleate actin and activate the Arp2/3 complex. Cytoplasmic STRAP negatively regulates autophagy. Finally, we use purified proteins to reconstitute LC3- and JMY-dependent actin network formation on membranes and inhibition of network formation by STRAP. We conclude that LC3 and STRAP regulate JMY’s actin assembly activities in trans during autophagy.

scholarly journals Analysis of Unregulated Formin Activity Reveals How Yeast Can Balance F-Actin Assembly between Different Microfilament-based Organizations

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1474-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Gao ◽  
Anthony Bretscher
Keyword(s):  
Cdna Library ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
The Third ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Actin Cables ◽  
Assembly Pathways ◽  
Massive Accumulation ◽  
Proper Balance

Formins are regulated actin-nucleating proteins that are widespread among eukaryotes. Overexpression of unregulated formins in budding yeast is lethal and causes a massive accumulation of disorganized cable-like filaments. To explore the basis of this lethality, a cDNA library was screened to identify proteins whose overexpression could rescue the lethality conferred by unregulated Bnr1p expression. Three classes of suppressors encoding actin-binding proteins were isolated. One class encodes proteins that promote the assembly of actin cables (TPM1, TPM2, and ABP140), suggesting that the lethality was rescued by turning disorganized filaments into functional cables. The second class encodes proteins that bind G-actin (COF1, SRV2, and PFY1), indicating that reduction of the pool of actin available for cable formation may also rescue lethality. Consistent with this, pharmacological or genetic reduction of available actin also protected the cell from overproduction of unregulated Bnr1p. The third class consists of Las17p, an activator of the formin-independent Arp2/3p-dependent actin nucleation pathway. These results indicate that proper assembly of actin cables is sensitive to the appropriate balance of their constituents and that input into one pathway for actin filament assembly can affect another. Thus, cells must have a way of ensuring a proper balance between actin assembly pathways.

scholarly journals A Balance of Capping Protein and Profilin Functions Is Required to Regulate Actin Polymerization in Drosophila Bristle

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Hopmann ◽  
Kathryn G. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Filament Dynamics

Profilin is a well-characterized protein known to be important for regulating actin filament assembly. Relatively few studies have addressed how profilin interacts with other actin-binding proteins in vivo to regulate assembly of complex actin structures. To investigate the function of profilin in the context of a differentiating cell, we have studied an instructive genetic interaction between mutations in profilin (chickadee) and capping protein (cpb). Capping protein is the principal protein in cells that caps actin filament barbed ends. When its function is reduced in the Drosophila bristle, F-actin levels increase and the actin cytoskeleton becomes disorganized, causing abnormal bristle morphology. chickadee mutations suppress the abnormal bristle phenotype and associated abnormalities of the actin cytoskeleton seen in cpb mutants. Furthermore, overexpression of profilin in the bristle mimics many features of thecpb loss-of-function phenotype. The interaction betweencpb and chickadee suggests that profilin promotes actin assembly in the bristle and that a balance between capping protein and profilin activities is important for the proper regulation of F-actin levels. Furthermore, this balance of activities affects the association of actin structures with the membrane, suggesting a link between actin filament dynamics and localization of actin structures within the cell.

The 3-Dimensional Molecular Structure of the Actin Filament Revisited

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
R. Millonig ◽  
H. Salvo
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Supramolecular Assembly ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Filament Diameter ◽  
Preparation Conditions ◽  
Apparent Diameter

To date, most 3-D reconstructions of undecorated actin filaments have been obtained from actin filament paracrystal data (for refs, see 1,2). However, due to the fact that (a) the paracrystals may be several filament layers thick, and (b) adjacent filaments may sustantially interdigitate, these reconstructions may be subject to significant artifacts. None of these reconstructions has permitted unambiguous tracing or orientation of the actin subunits within the filament. Furthermore, measured values for the maximal filament diameter both determined by EM and by X-ray diffraction analysis, vary between 6 and 10 nm. Obviously, the apparent diameter of the actin filament revealed in the EM will critically depend on specimen preparation, since it is a rather flexible supramolecular assembly which can easily be bent or distorted. To resolve some of these ambiguities, we have explored specimen preparation conditions which may preserve single filaments sufficiently straight and helically ordered to be suitable for single filament 3-D reconstructions, possibly revealing molecular detail.

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