p21-Activated Kinases Regulate Directional Migration and Cytoskeletal Organization in Human Neutrophils

Abstract Abstract 834 Neutrophil chemotaxis is controlled by coordinated processes of directional sensing, polarization and motility. This study was designed to characterize the role of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) during the chemotaxis of human primary neutrophils. PAKs are known as effectors of the Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42. It has been shown that PAK1 and PAK2 are strongly activated downstream of the f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) receptor via Rac (Huang et al., MCB 1998). PAK1 is known to localize in lamellipodia at the leading edge of human neutrophils (Dharmawardhane et al., JLB 1999) and mediate persistent directional migration via Cdc42 in a neutrophil-like cell line (Li et al., Cell 2003). However, little is known about the specific role of PAK isoforms in spatial/temporal regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics in human neutrophils. Our data show that human neutrophils express PAK1, 2 and 4. Under an fMLP gradient, human neutrophils developed morphological polarity with a distinct leading edge and rear, and migrated up the fMLP gradient at the speed of 7.5 ± 0.56 μm/min. Inhibition of Rac or PI3K impaired directionality but did not significantly affect migration speed of chemotaxing neutrophils (6.3 ± 0.56 μm/min or 6.2 ± 0.85 μm/min, respectively). In contrast, neutrophils treated with the PAK inhibitor, PF3758309 (PF), displayed random migration, less polarization and reduced motility (3.1 ± 0.21 μm/min). These results suggest that PAK regulates neutrophil chemotaxis independently of the Rac-PI3K axis. The presence of PF did not abrogate intracellular Ca2+mobilization in fMLP-driven chemotactic condition. Instead, the decreased migratory ability by PAK inhibition was associated with multiple Ca2+ spikes. Immunofluorescence imaging shows that PAK2 but not PAK1, was phosphorylated and translocated from cytosol to actin-rich leading edge in the proximity to GTP-bound Rac within 3 min of fMLP stimulation. Notably, PF treatment resulted in partial neutrophil spreading and actin/myosin II translocation in the absence of extracellular stimuli, suggesting that basal level of PAK phosphorylation may be required for cytoskeletal integrity of resting neutrophils. Neutrophils pretreated with PF displayed less activation and translocation of PAK2 and Rac. In summary, our data demonstrate for the first time the distinct roles of PAK isoforms in human neutrophil morphological polarity and directional migration and suggest that PAK2 is activated downstream of fMLP receptor through Rho-family small GTPases. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Rac1 links leading edge and uropod events through Rho and myosin activation during chemotaxis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2006-01-010363 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (8) ◽

pp. 2814-2820 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Kersi N. Pestonjamasp ◽

Carol Forster ◽

Chunxiang Sun ◽

Elisabeth M. Gardiner ◽

Ben Bohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rho Gtpases ◽

Actin Polymerization ◽

Critical Role ◽

Leading Edge ◽

Feedback System ◽

Small Gtpases ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Trailing Edge ◽

Rac Gtpases ◽

Rho Family

Abstract Chemotactic responsiveness is crucial to neutrophil recruitment to sites of infection. During chemotaxis, highly divergent cytoskeletal programs are executed at the leading and trailing edge of motile neutrophils. The Rho family of small GTPases plays a critical role in cell migration, and recent work has focused on elucidating the specific roles played by Rac1, Rac2, Cdc42, and Rho during cellular chemotaxis. Rac GTPases regulate actin polymerization and extension of the leading edge, whereas Rho GTPases control myosin-based contraction of the trailing edge. Rac and Rho signaling are thought to crosstalk with one another, and previous research has focused on mutual inhibition of Rac and Rho signaling during chemotaxis. Indeed, polarization of neutrophils has been proposed to involve the activity of a negative feedback system where Rac activation at the front of the cell inhibits local Rho activation, and vice versa. Using primary human neutrophils and neutrophils derived from a Rac1/Rac2-null transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate here that Rac1 (and not Rac2) is essential for Rho and myosin activation at the trailing edge to regulate uropod function. We conclude that Rac plays both positive and negative roles in the organization of the Rhomyosin “backness” program, thereby promoting stable polarity in chemotaxing neutrophils.

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Suppressive Role of Bam32/DAPP1 in Chemokine-Induced Neutrophil Recruitment

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22041825 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1825

Author(s):

Li Hao ◽

Aaron J. Marshall ◽

Lixin Liu

Keyword(s):

Small Gtpases ◽

Neutrophil Recruitment ◽

Neutrophil Chemotaxis ◽

Wild Type ◽

Adaptor Molecule ◽

Geranylgeranyltransferase I ◽

And Migration ◽

Rap1 Activation

Bam32 (B cell adaptor molecule of 32 kDa) functions in the immune responses of various leukocytes. However, the role of neutrophil Bam32 in inflammation is entirely unknown. Here, we determined the role of Bam32 in chemokine CXCL2-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in three mouse models of neutrophil recruitment. By using intravital microscopy in the mouse cremaster muscle, we found that transmigrated neutrophil number, neutrophil chemotaxis velocity, and total neutrophil chemotaxis distance were increased in Bam32−/− mice when compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In CXCL2-induced mouse peritonitis, the total emigrated neutrophils were increased in Bam32−/− mice at 2 but not 4 h. The CXCL2-induced chemotaxis distance and migration velocity of isolated Bam32−/− neutrophils in vitro were increased. We examined the activation of small GTPases Rac1, Rac2, and Rap1; the levels of phospho-Akt2 and total Akt2; and their crosstalk with Bam32 in neutrophils. The deficiency of Bam32 suppressed Rap1 activation without changing the activation of Rac1 and Rac2. The pharmacological inhibition of Rap1 by geranylgeranyltransferase I inhibitor (GGTI298) increased WT neutrophil chemotaxis. In addition, the deficiency of Bam32, as well as the inhibition of Rap1 activation, increased the levels of CXCL2-induced Akt1/2 phosphorylation at Thr308/309 in neutrophils. The inhibition of Akt by SH-5 attenuated CXCL2-induced adhesion and emigration in Bam32−/− mice. Together, our results reveal that Bam32 has a suppressive role in chemokine-induced neutrophil chemotaxis by regulating Rap1 activation and that this role of Bam32 in chemokine-induced neutrophil recruitment relies on the activation of PI3K effector Akt.

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Identification of Rab5 as a Gene Involved in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Progression.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3470.3470 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 3470-3470

Author(s):

Daniela Cilloni ◽

Monica Pradotto ◽

Francesca Messa ◽

Francesca Arruga ◽

Enrico Bracco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Western Blot ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Blast Crisis ◽

Small Gtpases ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Imatinib Resistance ◽

Protein Levels

Abstract Abstract 3470 Poster Board III-358 The role of Bcr-Abl in the pathogenesis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is well established, however, the mechanisms leading to CML progression remain poorly understood. By using our model of transgenic Drosophila Melanogaster (Dm) for human Bcr-Abl driven CML we have identified Rab5 as a gene involved in the regulation of CML progression. The Rab5 is a member of gene family small GTPases which are involved in the regulation of vesicular transport. Lately several important reports have linked some members of the Rab family to invesivness and migration of cancer cells. Rab5 is associate with alpha-integrin subunits and modulates their endosomal traffic and subcellular localization. We have observed that a loss of function of Rab5 gene have induced a worsening of the CML phenotype generated by hBcr-Abl expression. In contrast, Rab gain of function rescued Bcr-Abl phenotype. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of Rab5 in CML cells to better understand if a potential correlation with progression, which has been observed in the model, could be confirmed in patients. Methods Rab5 gene expression was measured by Real Time PCR in 90 samples from 80 CML patients (32 PB and 58 BM). Among those, 53 are collected at diagnosis (19 of 53 patients have been enrolled in TOPS study). In addition, 9 samples from in CP patients have been collected at the time of imatinib resistance, 7 in accelerated phase and 11 in BC. In 14 patients, genes expression was analyzed during remission as, well. In parallel, 21 healthy donors (10 PB and 11 BM) have been evaluated. Rab5 protein expression was investigated by Western Blot and Immunofluorescence. We have also utilized K562 transfected with Rab5 plasmid, which we have generated to gain insight about the effects of Rab5 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Results Rab5 transfection and overexpression in K562 significantly reduced proliferation and affected apoptosis. We found that in CML patients Rab5 expression levels were significantly decreased in either BM or PB (p<0.001 and p<0.0001) as compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, in blast crisis samples we have found Rab5 transcripts levels to be further decreased. In contrast, at the time of remission, the transcript levels were comparable to normal values. Our preliminary analysis of samples from TOPS trial have shown a trend that Rab5 levels are lower among those patients achieving MMR by 12 months, when compared to the group of patients non achieving MMR on 400 mg, but that difference was not statistically significant (p=0.2). Among those randomized to receive imatinib 800 mg the difference was statistically significant with a median value among those achieving MMR of 1.27 vs 2.14 in the group without MMR (p=0.04). The protein levels have been analyzed by Western Blot and immunofluorescence and allow us to show detectable levels of Rab5 in samples collected at remission, but undetectable levels in course of active CML disease. Although preliminary, our results show a significant decrease of Rab5 expression in blast crisis samples, when compared to CP CML and healthy volunteers, which suggest a role of Rab5 in slowing down or suppressing a progression. Surprisingly, among CP CML patients the responders to TKI therapy have been detected to express a lower level of Rab5 than non responders. We are conducting further studies to better explain these data, which we find intriguing and suggesting that molecular factors involved in the regulation of CML progression could be uncoupled from the mechanisms regulating response to TKI therapy. Supported by Novartis Oncology, Clinical Development, TOPS Clinical Correlative Studies Network Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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An Important Role for Rac1 and RhoA In Regulating Platelet Microparticle Formation and Phosphatidylserine Exposure

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.2023.2023 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 2023-2023

Author(s):

Michael Keegan Delaney ◽

Junling Liu ◽

Yi Zheng ◽

Xiaoping Du

Keyword(s):

Platelet Aggregation ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Small Gtpases ◽

Procoagulant Activity ◽

Null Mouse ◽

Signaling Mechanisms ◽

Granule Secretion ◽

Microparticle Formation

Abstract Abstract 2023 Platelets activated by physiological agonists such as thrombin and collagen shed procoagulant microparticles (MPs) and externalize the procoagulant phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS), both of which are critical to hemostasis and play an important role in inflammation. To date, the signaling mechanisms that regulate agonist-induced MP formation and PS exposure in platelets remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA play important roles in regulating the procoagulant activity of platelets. Rac1 null (-/-) mouse platelets or human platelets treated with the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 (NSC) displayed a significant defect in MP formation and PS exposure induced by various agonists. Furthermore, Rac1-/- platelets and NSC-treated human platelets displayed a defect in procoagulant activity as demonstrated by a prolonged coagulation time following recalcification of citrated PRP. The stimulatory role of Rac1 in platelet MP formation and PS exposure is distinct from the known function of Rac1 in facilitating platelet granule secretion and secretion-dependent amplification of platelet aggregation, because supplementation of the granule content ADP rescued the defect in platelet aggregation caused by Rac1 inhibition, but failed to rescue the defect in MP formation caused by Rac1 inhibition. In contrast to Rac1, RhoA plays an inhibitory role in regulating platelet procoagulant activity, because treatment of platelets with the Rho inhibitor C3-toxin (C3) significantly enhanced agonist-induced MP formation, PS exposure, and procoagulant activity. The enhancing effect of C3 on platelet procoagulant activity is not caused by an overall enhancement of platelet activation because C3 significantly inhibited platelet secretion and aggregation. Thus, our data demonstrates that while Rac1 and RhoA both play important stimulatory roles in platelet granule secretion and aggregation, they play opposing roles in MP formation and PS exposure in platelets. Rac1 is important for stimulating platelet MP formation, PS exposure, and procoagulant activity, which is antagonized by RhoA. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Stimulation of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor by Aldosterone Leads to Activation of HL-60 Neutrophils,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3206.3206 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3206-3206

Author(s):

Carlos E Vazquez ◽

Gregory N Prado ◽

Enrique R Maldonado ◽

Gabriela Saca ◽

Iren M Ortiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Respiratory Burst ◽

Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Critical Role ◽

Neutrophil Activation ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Dead Cell ◽

Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality

Abstract Abstract 3206 Blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the receptor for aldosterone (ALDO), improves cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is growing evidence for a critical role of ALDO in inflammation in addition to its well-described effects on sodium homeostasis. However, the role of ALDO on neutrophil activation is not entirely clear. We studied the role of ALDO on HL-60, a human promyelocytic cell line, induced to differentiate into neutrophil-like cells by incubation for 3 days with 1.3% DMSO. We detected the presence of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the receptor for ALDO, by western blot analyses and MR transcript by quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan detection probes in these cells. Cells incubated with ALDO (10−8-10−7 M) showed a dose-dependent rise in cytosolic Ca2+ that peaked within 3 min using FURA-2AM fluorescence; an event not observed when cells were incubated with 10−8 M dexamethasone (DEXA). Consistent with these results, incubation with 10−8 M ALDO led to increases in the oxidative-respiratory burst [superoxide production] (P<0.01, n=3); an event not observed when cells were incubated with either 10−8 or 10−7 M dexamethasone. The oxidative responses to ALDO were blunted by pre-incubation of cells with 1 uM canrenoic acid (CA), a well-described MR antagonist (P<0.03, n=3). We then studied the effect of ALDO on HL-60 transmigration and observed that 2 hr incubation at 37C with 10−8 M ALDO led to augmented migration (P<0.03, n=2) when compared to vehicle as estimated by CyQuant cell migration assays. We then isolated untouched circulating human neutrophils by immunomagnetic isolation following density gradient sedimentation with PolymorphPrep from otherwise healthy subjects. Flow cytometric analyses showed greater than 97% neutrophils as these cells were positive for CD45, CD16 and CD66b. Live/dead cell automated analyses shows greater than 90% cell viability by acridine orange and propidium iodide fluorescence. These cells likewise express MR as determined by western blot analyses for MR as reported in kidney and endothelial cells. Cells incubated with ALDO (10−8 M) showed a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and an increase in the oxidative-respiratory burst (P<0.01, n=3); a response that was sensitive to 1 uM CA. We also observed that 4 hr 10−9M ALDO incubation led to augmented neutrophil transmigration (P<0.03, n=2). Thus our results suggest that activation of MR by ALDO leads to neutrophil activation that may contribute to the inflammatory responses associated with MR activation in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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TNFAIP8 is a novel phosphoinositide-binding inhibitory regulator of Rho GTPases that promotes cancer cell migration

10.1101/2021.03.26.437243 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mei Lin ◽

Honghong Sun ◽

Svetlana A. Fayngerts ◽

Peiwei Huangyang ◽

Youhai H. Chen

Keyword(s):

Cell Migration ◽

Rho Gtpases ◽

Somatic Mutations ◽

Leading Edge ◽

Cancer Cell Migration ◽

Directional Migration ◽

Phosphoinositide Signaling ◽

Hydrophobic Cavity ◽

Cavity Structure ◽

Molecular Bridge

More than half of human tumors exhibit aberrantly dysregulated phosphoinositide signaling, yet how this is controlled remains not fully understood. While somatic mutations of PI3K, PTEN and Ras account for many cases of the hyperactivated lipid signals, other mechanisms for these dysfunctions in cancer are also being discovered. We report here that TNFAIP8 interacts with PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and is likely to be hijacked by cancer cells to facilitate directional migration during malignant transformation. TNFAIP8 maintains the quiescent cellular state by sequestering inactive Rho GTPases in the cytosolic pool, which can be set free upon chemoattractant activation at the leading edge. Consequently, loss of TNFAIP8 results in severe defects of chemotaxis and adhesion. Thus, TNFAIP8, whose expression can be induced by inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα from tumor microenvironment, represents a molecular bridge from inflammation to cancer by linking NF-κB pathway to phosphoinositide signaling. Our study on the conserved hydrophobic cavity structure will also advise in silico drug screening and development of new TNFAIP8-based strategies to combat malignant human diseases.

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Phenotypical microRNA screen reveals a noncanonical role of CDK2 in regulating neutrophil migration

10.1101/574335 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

A.Y. Hsu ◽

D. Wang ◽

S. Liu ◽

J. Lu ◽

R. Syahirah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Neutrophil Migration ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Neutrophil Chemotaxis ◽

Cycle Progression

AbstractNeutrophil migration is essential for inflammatory responses to kill pathogens, however it also causes tissue injury. To discover novel therapeutic targets that modulate neutrophil migration, we performed a neutrophil-specific microRNA overexpression screen in zebrafish, and identified eight microRNAs as potent suppressors of neutrophil migration. Among those,miR-199decreases neutrophil chemotaxis in zebrafish and human neutrophil-like cells. Intriguingly, in terminally differentiated neutrophils,miR-199alters the cell cycle-related pathways and directly suppressescyclin-dependent kinase 2(cdk2), whose known activity is restricted to cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. Inhibiting CDK2, but not DNA replication, disrupts cell polarity and chemotaxis of zebrafish neutrophils. Chemotaxis of primary human neutrophils are also reduced by CDK2 inhibition. Furthermore,miR-199overexpression or CDK2 inhibition significantly improves the outcome of lethal systemic inflammation challenges in zebrafish. Together, our results reveal previously unknown functions ofmiR-199and CDK2 in regulating neutrophil migration and provide new directions in alleviating systemic inflammation.One Sentence SummarymiR-199directly suppressescdk2expression, neutrophil chemotaxis and systemic inflammation.

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Enhancement of chemotactic factor-stimulated neutrophil oxidative metabolism by leukotriene B4

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v64.4.780.bloodjournal644780 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 780-785

Author(s):

JC Gay ◽

JK Beckman ◽

AR Brash ◽

JA Oates ◽

JN Lukens

Keyword(s):

Neutrophil Function ◽

Leukotriene B4 ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Neutrophil Chemotaxis ◽

Myristate Acetate ◽

Fmlp Receptor ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

O2 Production ◽

Oxygen Metabolites ◽

Oxidative Responses

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent primary stimulator of neutrophil chemotaxis, aggregation, and degranulation and induces superoxide production at higher concentrations. In order to determine whether LTB4 modulates neutrophil responses to oxidative stimuli, human neutrophils (PMNs) were incubated with LTB4 prior to stimulation with f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP, 10(-7) mol/L), opsonized zymosan (OZ, 250 micrograms/mL), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 32 nmol/L). Superoxide (O2-) production by stimulated PMNs was assessed by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. LTB4 alone did not stimulate O2- production in concentrations below 10(-7) mol/L and had no effect on the O2- assay. In the concentration range of 10(-12) to 10(-8) mol/L, LTB4 did not alter O2- release induced by OZ or PMA. In contrast, LTB4-treated cells demonstrated enhanced O2- production following exposure to fMLP, and in the presence of 10 nmol/LLTB4, generated 180% +/- 41% of O-2 quantities produced by control cells (n = 23). Enhancement was LTB4 dose-dependent, was maximal in the range of 1 to 10 nmol/L LTB4, was not reversed by removal of the lipid from the medium prior to fMLP stimulation, and was not dependent on the presence of Ca++ or Mg++ in the suspending medium. Chemiluminescence of fMLP-stimulated neutrophils was increased to 323% of controls in neutrophils preincubated with 10 nmol/L LTB4. Unlike augmentation of oxidative responses to fMLP seen with other degranulating stimuli, enhancement by LTB4 was not correlated with an increase in 3H-fMLP receptor binding. These results indicate that, in addition to its primary effects on neutrophil function, LTB4 modulates PMN oxidative responses to the chemotactic peptide and, thus, may amplify the release of oxygen metabolites at inflammatory foci.

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Enhancement of chemotactic factor-stimulated neutrophil oxidative metabolism by leukotriene B4

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v64.4.780.780 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 780-785 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

JC Gay ◽

JK Beckman ◽

AR Brash ◽

JA Oates ◽

JN Lukens

Keyword(s):

Neutrophil Function ◽

Leukotriene B4 ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Neutrophil Chemotaxis ◽

Myristate Acetate ◽

Fmlp Receptor ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

O2 Production ◽

Oxygen Metabolites ◽

Oxidative Responses

Abstract Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent primary stimulator of neutrophil chemotaxis, aggregation, and degranulation and induces superoxide production at higher concentrations. In order to determine whether LTB4 modulates neutrophil responses to oxidative stimuli, human neutrophils (PMNs) were incubated with LTB4 prior to stimulation with f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP, 10(-7) mol/L), opsonized zymosan (OZ, 250 micrograms/mL), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 32 nmol/L). Superoxide (O2-) production by stimulated PMNs was assessed by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. LTB4 alone did not stimulate O2- production in concentrations below 10(-7) mol/L and had no effect on the O2- assay. In the concentration range of 10(-12) to 10(-8) mol/L, LTB4 did not alter O2- release induced by OZ or PMA. In contrast, LTB4-treated cells demonstrated enhanced O2- production following exposure to fMLP, and in the presence of 10 nmol/LLTB4, generated 180% +/- 41% of O-2 quantities produced by control cells (n = 23). Enhancement was LTB4 dose-dependent, was maximal in the range of 1 to 10 nmol/L LTB4, was not reversed by removal of the lipid from the medium prior to fMLP stimulation, and was not dependent on the presence of Ca++ or Mg++ in the suspending medium. Chemiluminescence of fMLP-stimulated neutrophils was increased to 323% of controls in neutrophils preincubated with 10 nmol/L LTB4. Unlike augmentation of oxidative responses to fMLP seen with other degranulating stimuli, enhancement by LTB4 was not correlated with an increase in 3H-fMLP receptor binding. These results indicate that, in addition to its primary effects on neutrophil function, LTB4 modulates PMN oxidative responses to the chemotactic peptide and, thus, may amplify the release of oxygen metabolites at inflammatory foci.

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A pharmacological cocktail for arresting actin dynamics in living cells

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e11-04-0379 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (21) ◽

pp. 3986-3994 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Grace E. Peng ◽

Sarah R. Wilson ◽

Orion D. Weiner

Keyword(s):

Leading Edge ◽

Actin Dynamics ◽

Actin Assembly ◽

Actin Reorganization ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Wide Range ◽

Morphological Polarity ◽

Nih 3T3 ◽

External Stimuli

The actin cytoskeleton is regulated by factors that influence polymer assembly, disassembly, and network rearrangement. Drugs that inhibit these events have been used to test the role of actin dynamics in a wide range of cellular processes. Previous methods of arresting actin rearrangements take minutes to act and work well in some contexts, but can lead to significant actin reorganization in cells with rapid actin dynamics, such as neutrophils. In this paper, we report a pharmacological cocktail that not only arrests actin dynamics but also preserves the structure of the existing actin network in neutrophil-like HL-60 cells, human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells, and mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. Our cocktail induces an arrest of actin dynamics that initiates within seconds and persists for longer than 10 min, during which time cells maintain their responsivity to external stimuli. With this cocktail, we demonstrate that actin dynamics, and not simply morphological polarity or actin accumulation at the leading edge, are required for the spatial persistence of Rac activation in HL-60 cells. Our drug combination preserves the structure of the existing cytoskeleton while blocking actin assembly, disassembly, and rearrangement, and should prove useful for investigating the role of actin dynamics in a wide range of cellular signaling contexts.

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