Mechanotransduction by the Actin Cytoskeleton: Converting Mechanical Stimuli into Biochemical Signals

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 617-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Harris ◽  
Pamela Jreij ◽  
Daniel A. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Biochemical Signals

Force transmission through the actin cytoskeleton plays a central role in cell movements, shape change, and internal organization. Dynamic reorganization of actin filaments by an array of specialized binding proteins creates biochemically and architecturally distinct structures, many of which are finely tuned to exert or resist mechanical loads. The molecular complexity of the actin cytoskeleton continues to be revealed by detailed biochemical assays, and the architectural diversity and dynamics of actin structures are being uncovered by advances in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. However, our understanding of how mechanical forces feed back on cytoskeletal architecture and actin-binding protein organization is comparatively limited. In this review, we discuss recent work investigating how mechanical forces applied to cytoskeletal proteins are transduced into biochemical signals. We explore multiple mechanisms for mechanical signal transduction, including the mechanosensitive behavior of actin-binding proteins, the effect of mechanical force on actin filament dynamics, and the influence of mechanical forces on the structure of single actin filaments. The emerging picture is one in which the actin cytoskeleton is defined not only by the set of proteins that constitute a network but also by the constant interplay of mechanical forces and biochemistry.

Biomechanical analysis of actin cytoskeleton function based on a spring network cell model

2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (7) ◽  
pp. 1308-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Ghaffari ◽  
Mohammad Said Saidi ◽  
Bahar Firoozabadi
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Cell Deformation ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins ◽  
Cell Shape Change

In this study, a new method for the simulation of the time-dependent behavior of actin cytoskeleton during cell shape change is proposed. For this purpose, a three-dimensional model of endothelial cell consisting of cell membrane, nucleus membrane, and main components of cytoskeleton, namely actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments is utilized. Actin binding proteins, which play a key role in regulating actin cytoskeleton behavior, are also simulated by using a novel technique. The actin cytoskeleton in this model is more dynamic and adoptable during cell deformation in comparison to previous models. The proposed model is subjected to compressive force between parallel micro plates in order to investigate actin cytoskeleton role in cell stiffening behavior, nucleus deformation, and cell shape change. The validity of the model is examined through the comparison of the obtained results with the data presented in previous literature. Not only does the model force deformation curve lie within a range of the experimental data, but also the elastic modulus of the cell model is in accordance with former studies. Our findings demonstrate that augmentation of actin filaments concentration within the cell reduces force transmission from cell membrane to the nucleus. Furthermore, actin binding proteins concentration increases by the enhancement of cell deformation and it is also indicated that cell stiffening with an increase in applied force is significantly affected by actin filaments reorientation, actin binding proteins reorganization and actin binding proteins augmentation.

scholarly journals Actin-binding proteins: the long road to understanding the dynamic landscape of cellular actin networks

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (16) ◽  
pp. 2519-2522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pekka Lappalainen
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Actin Regulatory Proteins ◽  
The Individual

The actin cytoskeleton supports a vast number of cellular processes in nonmuscle cells. It is well established that the organization and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton are controlled by a large array of actin-binding proteins. However, it was only 40 years ago that the first nonmuscle actin-binding protein, filamin, was identified and characterized. Filamin was shown to bind and cross-link actin filaments into higher-order structures and contribute to phagocytosis in macrophages. Subsequently many other nonmuscle actin-binding proteins were identified and characterized. These proteins regulate almost all steps of the actin filament assembly and disassembly cycles, as well as the arrangement of actin filaments into diverse three-dimensional structures. Although the individual biochemical activities of most actin-regulatory proteins are relatively well understood, knowledge of how these proteins function together in a common cytoplasm to control actin dynamics and architecture is only beginning to emerge. Furthermore, understanding how signaling pathways and mechanical cues control the activities of various actin-binding proteins in different cellular, developmental, and pathological processes will keep researchers busy for decades.

scholarly journals Diversity from similarity: cellular strategies for assigning particular identities to actin filaments and networks

Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 200157
Author(s):  
Micaela Boiero Sanders ◽  
Adrien Antkowiak ◽  
Alphée Michelot
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Competitive Binding ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Isoforms ◽  
Actin Networks ◽  
Covalent Modifications

The actin cytoskeleton has the particularity of being assembled into many functionally distinct filamentous networks from a common reservoir of monomeric actin. Each of these networks has its own geometrical, dynamical and mechanical properties, because they are capable of recruiting specific families of actin-binding proteins (ABPs), while excluding the others. This review discusses our current understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms that cells have developed over the course of evolution to segregate ABPs to appropriate actin networks. Segregation of ABPs requires the ability to distinguish actin networks as different substrates for ABPs, which is regulated in three different ways: (1) by the geometrical organization of actin filaments within networks, which promotes or inhibits the accumulation of ABPs; (2) by the identity of the networks' filaments, which results from the decoration of actin filaments with additional proteins such as tropomyosin, from the use of different actin isoforms or from covalent modifications of actin; (3) by the existence of collaborative or competitive binding to actin filaments between two or multiple ABPs. This review highlights that all these effects need to be taken into account to understand the proper localization of ABPs in cells, and discusses what remains to be understood in this field of research.

scholarly journals 14-3-3 Negatively Regulates Actin Filament Formation in the Deep Branching Eukaryote Giardia lamblia

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Krtková ◽  
Jennifer Xu ◽  
Marco Lalle ◽  
Melissa Steele-Ogus ◽  
Germain C. M. Alas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filament Formation ◽  
Rho Family

AbstractThe phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding protein 14-3-3 is known to regulate actin, this function has been previously attributed to sequestration of phosphorylated cofilin. The deep branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia lacks cofilin and all other canonical actin-binding proteins (ABPs), and 14-3-3 was identified as an actin-associated protein in Giardia, yet its role in actin regulation was unknown. Gl14-3-3 depletion resulted in an overall disruption of actin organization characterized by ectopically distributed short actin filaments. Using phosphatase and kinase inhibitors, we demonstrated that actin phosphorylation correlated with destabilization of the actin network and increased complex formation with 14-3-3, while blocking actin phosphorylation stabilized actin filaments and attenuated complex formation. Giardia's sole Rho family GTPase, GlRac, modulates Gl14-3-3's association with actin, providing the first connection between GlRac and the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia. Giardia actin contains two putative 14-3-3 binding motifs, one of which (S330) is conserved in mammalian actin. Mutation of these sites reduced, but did not completely disrupt, the association with 14-3-3. Native gels and overlay assays indicate that intermediate proteins are required to support complex formation between 14-3-3 and actin. Overall, our results support a role for 14-3-3 as a negative regulator of actin filament formation.ImportanceGiardia lacks canonical actin binding proteins. 14-3-3 was identified as an actin interactor but the significance of this interaction was unknown. Loss of 14-3-3 results in ectopic short actin filaments, indicating that 14-3-3 is an important regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia. Drug studies indicate that 14-3-3 complex formation is in part phospho-regulated. We demonstrate that complex formation is downstream of Giardia’s sole Rho family GTPase, GlRac, this result provides the first mechanistic connection between GlRac and actin in Giardia. Native gels and overlay assays indicate intermediate proteins are required to support the interaction between 14-3-3 and actin suggesting that 14-3-3 is regulating multiple actin complexes. Overall, we find that 14-3-3 is a negative regulator of actin filament formation in Giardia.

scholarly journals 14-3-3 Regulates Actin Filament Formation in the Deep-Branching Eukaryote Giardia lamblia

mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Krtková ◽  
Jennifer Xu ◽  
Marco Lalle ◽  
Melissa Steele-Ogus ◽  
Germain C. M. Alas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Drug Studies

ABSTRACT Giardia lacks canonical actin-binding proteins. Gl-14-3-3 was identified as an actin interactor, but the significance of this interaction was unknown. Loss of Gl-14-3-3 results in ectopic short actin filaments, indicating that Gl-14-3-3 is an important regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia. Drug studies indicate that Gl-14-3-3 complex formation is in part phospho-regulated. We demonstrate that complex formation is downstream of Giardia’s sole Rho family GTPase, Gl-Rac. This result provides the first mechanistic connection between Gl-Rac and Gl-actin in Giardia. Native gels and overlay assays indicate intermediate proteins are required to support the interaction between Gl-14-3-3 and Gl-actin, suggesting that Gl-14-3-3 is regulating multiple Gl-actin complexes. The phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding protein 14-3-3 is known to regulate actin; this function has been previously attributed to sequestration of phosphorylated cofilin. 14-3-3 was identified as an actin-associated protein in the deep-branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia; however, Giardia lacks cofilin and all other canonical actin-binding proteins (ABPs). Thus, the role of G. lamblia 14-3-3 (Gl-14-3-3) in actin regulation was unknown. Gl-14-3-3 depletion resulted in an overall disruption of actin organization characterized by ectopically distributed short actin filaments. Using phosphatase and kinase inhibitors, we demonstrated that actin phosphorylation correlated with destabilization of the actin network and increased complex formation with 14-3-3, while blocking actin phosphorylation stabilized actin filaments and attenuated complex formation. Giardia’s sole Rho family GTPase, Gl-Rac, modulates Gl-14-3-3’s association with actin, providing the first connection between Gl-Rac and the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia. Giardia actin (Gl-actin) contains two putative 14-3-3 binding motifs, one of which (S330) is conserved in mammalian actin. Mutation of these sites reduced, but did not completely disrupt, the association with 14-3-3. Native gels and overlay assays indicate that intermediate proteins are required to support complex formation between 14-3-3 and actin. Overall, our results support a role for 14-3-3 as a regulator of actin; however, the presence of multiple 14-3-3–actin complexes suggests a more complex regulatory relationship than might be expected for a minimalistic parasite. IMPORTANCE Giardia lacks canonical actin-binding proteins. Gl-14-3-3 was identified as an actin interactor, but the significance of this interaction was unknown. Loss of Gl-14-3-3 results in ectopic short actin filaments, indicating that Gl-14-3-3 is an important regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia. Drug studies indicate that Gl-14-3-3 complex formation is in part phospho-regulated. We demonstrate that complex formation is downstream of Giardia’s sole Rho family GTPase, Gl-Rac. This result provides the first mechanistic connection between Gl-Rac and Gl-actin in Giardia. Native gels and overlay assays indicate intermediate proteins are required to support the interaction between Gl-14-3-3 and Gl-actin, suggesting that Gl-14-3-3 is regulating multiple Gl-actin complexes.

scholarly journals Ultrastructure of the yeast actin cytoskeleton and its association with the plasma membrane.

1994 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mulholland ◽  
D Preuss ◽  
A Moon ◽  
A Wong ◽  
D Drubin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins ◽  
Double Labeling ◽  
Wall Growth ◽  
Cortical Cytoskeleton

We characterized the yeast actin cytoskeleton at the ultrastructural level using immunoelectron microscopy. Anti-actin antibodies primarily labeled dense, patchlike cortical structures and cytoplasmic cables. This localization recapitulates results obtained with immunofluorescence light microscopy, but at much higher resolution. Immuno-EM double-labeling experiments were conducted with antibodies to actin together with antibodies to the actin binding proteins Abp1p and cofilin. As expected from immunofluorescence experiments, Abp1p, cofilin, and actin colocalized in immuno-EM to the dense patchlike structures but not to the cables. In this way, we can unambiguously identify the patches as the cortical actin cytoskeleton. The cortical actin patches were observed to be associated with the cell surface via an invagination of plasma membrane. This novel cortical cytoskeleton-plasma membrane interface appears to consist of a fingerlike invagination of plasma membrane around which actin filaments and actin binding proteins are organized. We propose a possible role for this unique cortical structure in wall growth and osmotic regulation.

scholarly journals First person – Julien Pernier

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (18) ◽  
pp. jcs253930
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Network Dynamics ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
First Person ◽  
Integrative Biology ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTFirst Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Julien Pernier is first author on ‘Myosin 1b flattens and prunes branched actin filaments’, published in JCS. Julien conducted the research described in this article while a postdoc in Patricia Bassereau's lab at the Institut Curie, Paris, France. He is now a postdoc in the lab of Christophe Le Clainche at the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France, investigating the roles of actin-binding proteins in actin network dynamics and organization.

scholarly journals Mechanosensing through direct binding of tensed F-actin by LIM domains

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Sun ◽  
Donovan Y. Z. Phua ◽  
Lucas Axiotakis ◽  
Mark A. Smith ◽  
Elizabeth Blankman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Cytoplasmic Actin ◽  
Lim Domains ◽  
Lim Proteins

SummaryMechanical signals transmitted through the cytoplasmic actin cytoskeleton must be relayed to the nucleus to control gene expression. LIM domains are protein-protein interaction modules found in cytoskeletal proteins and transcriptional regulators; however, it is unclear if there is a direct link between these two functions. Here we identify three LIM protein families (zyxin, paxillin, and FHL) whose members preferentially localize to the actin cytoskeleton in mechanically-stimulated cells through their tandem LIM domains. A minimal actin-myosin reconstitution system reveals that representatives of all three families directly bind F-actin only in the presence of mechanical force. Point mutations at a site conserved in each LIM domain of these proteins selectively disrupt tensed F-actin binding in vitro and cytoskeletal localization in cells, demonstrating a common, avidity-based mechanism. Finally, we find that binding to tensed F-actin in the cytoplasm excludes the cancer-associated transcriptional co-activator FHL2 from the nucleus in stiff microenvironments. This establishes direct force-activated F-actin binding by FHL2 as a mechanosensing mechanism. Our studies suggest that force-dependent sequestration of LIM proteins on the actin cytoskeleton could be a general mechanism for controlling nuclear localization to effect mechanical signaling.

scholarly journals STIP1/HOP Regulates the Actin Cytoskeleton through Interactions with Actin and Changes in Actin-Binding Proteins Cofilin and Profilin

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Joy Beckley ◽  
Morgan Campbell Hunter ◽  
Sarah Naulikha Kituyi ◽  
Ianthe Wingate ◽  
Abantika Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins ◽  
Hsp90 Chaperone

Cell migration plays a vital role in both health and disease. It is driven by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, which is regulated by actin-binding proteins cofilin and profilin. Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) is a well-described co-chaperone of the Hsp90 chaperone system, and our findings identify a potential regulatory role of STIP1 in actin dynamics. We show that STIP1 can be isolated in complex with actin and Hsp90 from HEK293T cells and directly interacts with actin in vitro via the C-terminal TPR2AB-DP2 domain of STIP1, potentially due to a region spanning two putative actin-binding motifs. We found that STIP1 could stimulate the in vitro ATPase activity of actin, suggesting a potential role in the modulation of F-actin formation. Interestingly, while STIP1 depletion in HEK293T cells had no major effect on total actin levels, it led to increased nuclear accumulation of actin, disorganization of F-actin structures, and an increase and decrease in cofilin and profilin levels, respectively. This study suggests that STIP1 regulates the cytoskeleton by interacting with actin, or via regulating the ratio of proteins known to affect actin dynamics.

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