scholarly journals The obligatory role of the actin cytoskeleton on inward remodeling induced by dithiothreitol activation of endogenous transglutaminase in isolated arterioles

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (4) ◽  
pp. H485-H495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge A. Castorena-Gonzalez ◽  
Marius C. Staiculescu ◽  
Christopher A. Foote ◽  
Luis Polo-Parada ◽  
Luis A. Martinez-Lemus
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Resistance Arteries ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Elastic Characteristics

Inward remodeling is the most prevalent structural change found in the resistance arteries and arterioles of hypertensive individuals. Separate studies have shown that the inward remodeling process requires transglutaminase activation and the polymerization of actin. Therefore, we hypothesize that inward remodeling induced via endogenous transglutaminase activation requires and depends on actin cytoskeletal structures. To test this hypothesis, isolated and cannulated rat cremaster arterioles were exposed to dithiothreitol (DTT) to activate endogenous transglutaminases. DTT induced concentration-dependent vasoconstriction that was suppressed by coincubation with cystamine or cytochalasin-D to inhibit tranglutaminase activity or actin polymerization, respectively. Prolonged (4 h) exposure to DTT caused arteriolar inward remodeling that was also blocked by the presence of cystamine or cytochalasin-D. DTT inwardly remodeled arterioles had reduced passive diameters, augmented wall thickness-to-lumen ratios and altered elastic characteristics that were reverted upon disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with mycalolide-B. In freshly isolated arterioles, exposure to mycalolide-B caused no changes in their passive diameters or their elastic characteristics. These results suggest that, in arterioles, the early stages of the inward remodeling process induced by prolonged endogenous transglutaminase activation require actin dynamics and depend on changes in actin cytoskeletal structures.

scholarly journals Actin dynamics rapidly reset chemoattractant receptor sensitivity following adaptation in neutrophils

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1629) ◽  
pp. 20130008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheel N. Dandekar ◽  
Jason S. Park ◽  
Grace E. Peng ◽  
James J. Onuffer ◽  
Wendell A. Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Receptor Desensitization ◽  
Receptor Sensitivity ◽  
Reciprocal Interactions ◽  
Intracellular Signals ◽  
Spatial Differences

Neutrophils are cells of the innate immune system that hunt and kill pathogens using directed migration. This process, known as chemotaxis, requires the regulation of actin polymerization downstream of chemoattractant receptors. Reciprocal interactions between actin and intracellular signals are thought to underlie many of the sophisticated signal processing capabilities of the chemotactic cascade including adaptation, amplification and long-range inhibition. However, with existing tools, it has been difficult to discern actin's role in these processes. Most studies investigating the role of the actin cytoskeleton have primarily relied on actin-depolymerizing agents, which not only block new actin polymerization but also destroy the existing cytoskeleton. We recently developed a combination of pharmacological inhibitors that stabilizes the existing actin cytoskeleton by inhibiting actin polymerization, depolymerization and myosin-based rearrangements; we refer to these processes collectively as actin dynamics. Here, we investigated how actin dynamics influence multiple signalling responses (PI3K lipid products, calcium and Pak phosphorylation) following acute agonist addition or during desensitization. We find that stabilized actin polymer extends the period of receptor desensitization following agonist binding and that actin dynamics rapidly reset receptors from this desensitized state. Spatial differences in actin dynamics may underlie front/back differences in agonist sensitivity in neutrophils.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis Induces Remodeling of the Actin Cytoskeleton during Attachment and Entry into HeLa Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 3793-3803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reynaldo A. Carabeo ◽  
Scott S. Grieshaber ◽  
Elizabeth Fischer ◽  
Ted Hackstadt
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Actin Remodeling ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT To elucidate the host cell machinery utilized by Chlamydia trachomatis to invade epithelial cells, we examined the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the internalization of chlamydial elementary bodies (EBs). Treatment of HeLa cells with cytochalasin D markedly inhibited the internalization of C. trachomatis serovar L2 and D EBs. Association of EBs with HeLa cells induced localized actin polymerization at the site of attachment, as visualized by either phalloidin staining of fixed cells or the active recruitment of GFP-actin in viable infected cells. The recruitment of actin to the specific site of attachment was accompanied by dramatic changes in the morphology of cell surface microvilli. Ultrastructural studies revealed a transient microvillar hypertrophy that was dependent upon C. trachomatis attachment, mediated by structural components on the EBs, and cytochalasin D sensitive. In addition, a mutant CHO cell line that does not support entry of C. trachomatis serovar L2 did not display such microvillar hypertrophy following exposure to L2 EBs, which is in contrast to infection with serovar D, to which it is susceptible. We propose that C. trachomatis entry is facilitated by an active actin remodeling process that is induced by the attachment of this pathogen, resulting in distinct microvillar reorganization throughout the cell surface and the formation of a pedestal-like structure at the immediate site of attachment and entry.

The tricornered Gene, Which Is Required for the Integrity of Epidermal Cell Extensions, Encodes the Drosophila Nuclear DBF2-Related Kinase

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (4) ◽  
pp. 1817-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Geng ◽  
Biao He ◽  
Mina Wang ◽  
Paul N Adler
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Latrunculin A ◽  
Cellular Extensions ◽  
Cuticular Structures ◽  
Cuticular Surface

Abstract During their differentiation epidermal cells of Drosophila form a rich variety of polarized structures. These include the epidermal hairs that decorate much of the adult cuticular surface, the shafts of the bristle sense organs, the lateral extensions of the arista, and the larval denticles. These cuticular structures are produced by cytoskeletal-mediated outgrowths of epidermal cells. Mutations in the tricornered gene result in the splitting or branching of all of these structures. Thus, tricornered function appears to be important for maintaining the integrity of the outgrowths. tricornered mutations however do not have major effects on the growth or shape of these cellular extensions. Inhibiting actin polymerization in differentiating cells by cytochalasin D or latrunculin A treatment also induces the splitting of hairs and bristles, suggesting that the actin cytoskeleton might be a target of tricornered. However, the drugs also result in short, fat, and occasionally malformed hairs and bristles. The data suggest that the function of the actin cytoskeleton is important for maintaining the integrity of cellular extensions as well as their growth and shape. Thus, if tricornered causes the splitting of cellular extensions by interacting with the actin cytoskeleton it likely does so in a subtle way. Consistent with this possibility we found that a weak tricornered mutant is hypersensitive to cytochalasin D. We have cloned the tricornered gene and found that it encodes the Drosophila NDR kinase. This is a conserved ser/thr protein kinase found in Caenorhabditis elegans and humans that is related to a number of kinases that have been found to be important in controlling cell structure and proliferation.

scholarly journals Actin Cytoskeleton Regulates Calcium Dynamics and NFAT Nuclear Duration

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 1628-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiola V. Rivas ◽  
James P. O'Keefe ◽  
Maria-Luisa Alegre ◽  
Thomas F. Gajewski
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Activated T Cells

ABSTRACT T-cell activation by antigen-presenting cells is accompanied by actin polymerization, T-cell receptor (TCR) capping, and formation of the immunological synapse. However, whether actin-dependent events are required for T-cell function is poorly understood. Herein, we provide evidence for an unexpected negative regulatory role of the actin cytoskeleton on TCR-induced cytokine production. Disruption of actin polymerization resulted in prolonged intracellular calcium elevation in response to anti-CD3, thapsigargin, or phorbol myristate acetate plus ionomycin, leading to persistent NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) nuclear duration. These events were dominant, as the net effect of actin blockade was augmented interleukin 2 promoter activity. Increased surface expression of the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase was observed upon stimulation, which was inhibited by cytochalasin D, suggesting that actin polymerization contributes to calcium export. Our results imply a novel role for the actin cytoskeleton in modulating the duration of Ca2+-NFAT signaling and indicate that actin dynamics regulate features of T-cell activation downstream of receptor clustering.

Actin reorganization and proplatelet formation in murine megakaryocytes: the role of protein kinase Cα

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponlapat Rojnuckarin ◽  
Kenneth Kaushansky
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Marrow Cell ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Reorganization ◽  
Murine Bone Marrow ◽  
Proplatelet Formation

Abstract With the recent cloning and characterization of thrombopoietin, appreciation of the molecular events surrounding megakaryocyte (MK) development is growing. However, the final stages of platelet formation are less well understood. Platelet production occurs after the formation of MK proplatelet processes. In a study to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this process, mature MKs isolated from suspension murine bone marrow cell cultures were induced to form proplatelets by exposure to plasma, and the role of various cell-signaling pathways was assessed. The results showed that (1) bis-indolylmaleimide I, which blocks protein kinase C (PKC) activation; (2) down-modulation of conventional or novel classes of PKC by phorbol myristate acetate; and (3) ribozymes specific for PKCα each inhibited proplatelet formation. Inhibition of several MAP kinases, PI3 kinase, or protein kinase A failed to affect MK proplatelet formation. To gain further insights into the function of PKCα in proplatelet formation, its subcellular localization was investigated. In cultures containing active proplatelet formation, cytoplasmic polymerized actin was highly aggregated, its subcellular distribution was reorganized, and PKCα colocalized with the cellular actin aggregates. A number of MK manipulations, including blockade of integrin signaling with a disintegrin or inhibition of actin polymerization with cytochalasin D, interrupted actin reorganization, PKC relocalization, and proplatelet formation. These findings suggest an important role for PKCα in proplatelet development and suggest that it acts by altering actin dynamics in proplatelet-forming MKs. Identification of the upstream and downstream pathways involved in proplatelet formation should provide greater insights into thrombopoiesis, potentially allowing pharmacologic manipulation of the process.

scholarly journals Insights into the evolution of regulated actin dynamics via characterization of primitive gelsolin/cofilin proteins from Asgard archaea

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (33) ◽  
pp. 19904-19913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caner Akıl ◽  
Linh T. Tran ◽  
Magali Orhant-Prioux ◽  
Yohendran Baskaran ◽  
Edward Manser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Duplication Event ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Actin Dynamics

Asgard archaea genomes contain potential eukaryotic-like genes that provide intriguing insight for the evolution of eukaryotes. The eukaryotic actin polymerization/depolymerization cycle is critical for providing force and structure in many processes, including membrane remodeling. In general, Asgard genomes encode two classes of actin-regulating proteins from sequence analysis, profilins and gelsolins. Asgard profilins were demonstrated to regulate actin filament nucleation. Here, we identify actin filament severing, capping, annealing and bundling, and monomer sequestration activities by gelsolin proteins from Thorarchaeota (Thor), which complete a eukaryotic-like actin depolymerization cycle, and indicate complex actin cytoskeleton regulation in Asgard organisms. Thor gelsolins have homologs in other Asgard archaea and comprise one or two copies of the prototypical gelsolin domain. This appears to be a record of an initial preeukaryotic gene duplication event, since eukaryotic gelsolins are generally comprise three to six domains. X-ray structures of these proteins in complex with mammalian actin revealed similar interactions to the first domain of human gelsolin or cofilin with actin. Asgard two-domain, but not one-domain, gelsolins contain calcium-binding sites, which is manifested in calcium-controlled activities. Expression of two-domain gelsolins in mammalian cells enhanced actin filament disassembly on ionomycin-triggered calcium release. This functional demonstration, at the cellular level, provides evidence for a calcium-controlled Asgard actin cytoskeleton, indicating that the calcium-regulated actin cytoskeleton predates eukaryotes. In eukaryotes, dynamic bundled actin filaments are responsible for shaping filopodia and microvilli. By correlation, we hypothesize that the formation of the protrusions observed from Lokiarchaeota cell bodies may involve the gelsolin-regulated actin structures.

scholarly journals Farnesylcysteine analogues inhibit store-regulated Ca2+ entry in human platelets: evidence for involvement of small GTP-binding proteins and actin cytoskeleton

2000 ◽  
Vol 347 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. ROSADO ◽  
Stewart O. SAGE
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gtp Binding Proteins ◽  
Gtp Binding ◽  
Prenylated Proteins

We have investigated the mechanism of Ca2+ entry into fura-2-loaded human platelets by preventing the prenylation of proteins such as small GTP-binding proteins. The farnesylcysteine analogues farnesylthioacetic acid (FTA) and N-acetyl-S-geranylgeranyl-L-cysteine (AGGC), which are inhibitors of the methylation of prenylated and geranylgeranylated proteins respectively, significantly decreased thrombin-evoked increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the presence, but not in the absence, of external Ca2+, suggesting a relatively selective inhibition of Ca2+ entry over internal release. Both these compounds and N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine, which had similar effects to those of FTA, also decreased Ca2+ entry evoked by the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin. The inactive control N-acetyl-S-geranyl-L-cysteine was without effect. Patulin, an inhibitor of prenylation that is inert with respect to methyltransferases, also decreased store-regulated Ca2+ entry. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, significantly decreased store-regulated Ca2+ entry in a time-dependent manner. Both cytochalasin D and the farnesylcysteine analogues FTA and AGGC inhibited actin polymerization; however, when evoking the same extent of decrease in actin filament formation, FTA and AGGC showed greater inhibitory effects on Ca2+ entry, indicating a cytoskeleton-independent component in the regulation of Ca2+ entry by small GTP-binding-protein. These findings suggest that prenylated proteins such as small GTP-binding proteins are involved in store-regulated Ca2+ entry through actin cytoskeleton-dependent and cytoskeleton-independent mechanisms in human platelets.

scholarly journals Transfection of nonmuscle beta- and gamma-actin genes into myoblasts elicits different feedback regulatory responses from endogenous actin genes

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Lloyd ◽  
G Schevzov ◽  
P Gunning
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Feedback Regulation ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Actin Gene ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Actin Genes ◽  
Beta Actin ◽  
Actin Mrna ◽  
Actin Protein

We have examined the role of feedback-regulation in the expression of the nonmuscle actin genes. C2 mouse myoblasts were transfected with the human beta- and gamma-actin genes. In gamma-actin transfectants we found that the total actin mRNA and protein pools remained unchanged. Increasing levels of human gamma-actin expression resulted in a progressive down-regulation of mouse beta- and gamma-actin mRNAs. Transfection of the beta-actin gene resulted in an increase in the total actin mRNA and protein pools and induced an increase in the levels of mouse beta-actin mRNA. In contrast, transfection of a beta-actin gene carrying a single-point mutation (beta sm) produced a feedback-regulatory response similar to that of the gamma-actin gene. Expression of a beta-actin gene encoding an unstable actin protein had no impact on the endogenous mouse actin genes. This suggests that the nature of the encoded actin protein determines the feedback-regulatory response of the mouse genes. The role of the actin cytoskeleton in mediating this feedback-regulation was evaluated by disruption of the actin network with Cytochalasin D. We found that treatment with Cytochalasin D abolished the down-regulation of mouse gamma-actin in both the gamma- and beta sm-actin transfectants. In contrast, a similar level of increase was observed for the mouse beta-actin mRNA in both control and transfected cells. These experiments suggest that the down-regulation of mouse gamma-actin mRNA is dependent on the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, the mechanism responsible for the down-regulation of beta-actin may be distinct from that governing gamma-actin. We conclude that actin feedback-regulation provides a biochemical assay for differences between the two nonmuscle actin genes.

scholarly journals Mammalian Adenylyl Cyclase-associated Protein 1 (CAP1) Regulates Cofilin Function, the Actin Cytoskeleton, and Cell Adhesion

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (29) ◽  
pp. 20966-20977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitao Zhang ◽  
Pooja Ghai ◽  
Huhehasi Wu ◽  
Changhui Wang ◽  
Jeffrey Field ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Ras Signaling ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Camp Pathway

CAP (adenylyl cyclase-associated protein) was first identified in yeast as a protein that regulates both the actin cytoskeleton and the Ras/cAMP pathway. Although the role in Ras signaling does not extend beyond yeast, evidence supports that CAP regulates the actin cytoskeleton in all eukaryotes including mammals. In vitro actin polymerization assays show that both mammalian and yeast CAP homologues facilitate cofilin-driven actin filament turnover. We generated HeLa cells with stable CAP1 knockdown using RNA interference. Depletion of CAP1 led to larger cell size and remarkably developed lamellipodia as well as accumulation of filamentous actin (F-actin). Moreover, we found that CAP1 depletion also led to changes in cofilin phosphorylation and localization as well as activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and enhanced cell spreading. CAP1 forms complexes with the adhesion molecules FAK and Talin, which likely underlie the cell adhesion phenotypes through inside-out activation of integrin signaling. CAP1-depleted HeLa cells also had substantially elevated cell motility as well as invasion through Matrigel. In summary, in addition to generating in vitro and in vivo evidence further establishing the role of mammalian CAP1 in actin dynamics, we identified a novel cellular function for CAP1 in regulating cell adhesion.

Withaferin A binds covalently to the N-terminal domain of annexin A2

2012 ◽  
Vol 393 (10) ◽  
pp. 1151-1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Ozorowski ◽  
Christopher M. Ryan ◽  
Julian P. Whitelegge ◽  
Hartmut Luecke
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Annexin A2 ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Core Domain ◽  
Cancer Pathways ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
C Terminus

Abstract Annexin A2 (AnxA2), a 38-kDa member of the Ca2+-binding annexin family, has been implicated in numerous cancer pathways. Withaferin A (WithfA), a natural plant compound, has been reported previously to bind covalently to Cys133 of the AnxA2 core domain leading to a reduction of the invasive capabilities of cancer cells by altering their cytoskeleton. We show here that AnxA2 has an inhibitory effect on actin polymerization, and a modification with WithfA significantly increases this inhibitory role of AnxA2. Using mass spectrometry and single-site mutants, we localized the WithfA-AnxA2 interaction to the N-terminal domain of AnxA2 where WithfA binds covalently to Cys9. Whereas binding to F-actin filaments has been mapped to the C terminus of AnxA2, our results suggest that the N-terminal domain modified by WithfA may also play a role in the AnxA2-actin interaction. The binding of WithfA may regulate the AnxA2-mediated actin dynamics in two distinct ways: (i) the increase of F-actin bundling activity by the Anx2/p11 heterotetramer and (ii) the decrease of actin polymerization as a result of the increased affinity of AnxA2 to the barbed end of actin microfilaments. We demonstrate the susceptibility of Cys9 of AnxA2 to chemical modifications and exclude Cys133 as a binding site for WithfA.

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