WASP and WAVE family proteins: key molecules for rapid rearrangement of cortical actin filaments and cell movement

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (10) ◽  
pp. 1801-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Takenawa ◽  
H. Miki
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Inactive Form ◽  
Extracellular Stimuli ◽  
Proline Rich Region

Reorganization of cortical actin filaments plays critical roles in cell movement and pattern formation. Recently, the WASP and WAVE family proteins WASP and N-WASP, and WAVE1, WAVE2 and WAVE3 have been shown to regulate cortical actin filament reorganization in response to extracellular stimuli. These proteins each have a verprolin-homology (V) domain, cofilin-homology (C) domain and an acidic (A) region at the C-terminus, through which they activate the Arp2/3 complex, leading to rapid actin polymerization. N-WASP is usually present as an inactive form in which the VCA region is masked. Cooperative binding of Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) exposes the VCA region, activating N-WASP. In addition to this activation mechanism, WISH also activates N-WASP independently of Cdc42 and PtdIns(4,5)P(2), by binding to the proline-rich region of N-WASP. N-WASP activation induces formation of filopodia in vivo. In contrast, the ubiquitously expressed form of WAVE2 is activated downstream of Rac, leading to formation of lamellipodia. In this case, IRSp53 transmits a signal from Rac to WAVE2 through formation of a ternary Rac-IRSp53-WAVE2 complex. Thus, N-WASP, which is activated downstream of Cdc42 or independently by WISH, induces formation of filopodia and WAVE2, which is activated via IRSp53 downstream of Rac, induces formation of lamellipodia.

scholarly journals Cofilin, But Not Profilin, Is Required for Myosin-I-Induced Actin Polymerization and the Endocytic Uptake in Yeast

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4074-4087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima-Zahra Idrissi ◽  
Bianka L. Wolf ◽  
M. Isabel Geli
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Myosin I ◽  
Robust Evidence

Mutations in the budding yeast myosins-I (MYO3 andMYO5) cause defects in the actin cytoskeleton and in the endocytic uptake. Robust evidence also indicates that these proteins induce Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Consistently, we have recently demonstrated, using fluorescence microscopy, that Myo5p is able to induce cytosol-dependent actin polymerization on the surface of Sepharose beads. Strikingly, we now observed that, at short incubation times, Myo5p induced the formation of actin foci that resembled the yeast cortical actin patches, a plasma membrane-associated structure that might be involved in the endocytic uptake. Analysis of the machinery required for the formation of the Myo5p-induced actin patches in vitro demonstrated that the Arp2/3 complex was necessary but not sufficient in the assay. In addition, we found that cofilin was directly involved in the process. Strikingly though, the cofilin requirement seemed to be independent of its ability to disassemble actin filaments and profilin, a protein that closely cooperates with cofilin to maintain a rapid actin filament turnover, was not needed in the assay. In agreement with these observations, we found that like the Arp2/3 complex and the myosins-I, cofilin was essential for the endocytic uptake in vivo, whereas profilin was dispensable.

scholarly journals Mechanisms responsible for F-actin stabilization after lysis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 1123-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Cano ◽  
L Cassimeris ◽  
M Fechheimer ◽  
S H Zigmond
Keyword(s):  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Macromolecular Complex ◽  
Actin Depolymerization ◽  
Gravitational Forces ◽  
End Capping

While actin polymerization and depolymerization are both essential for cell movement, few studies have focused on actin depolymerization. In vivo, depolymerization can occur exceedingly rapidly and in a spatially defined manner: the F-actin in the lamellipodia depolymerizes in 30 s after chemoattractant removal (Cassimeris, L., H. McNeill, and S. H. Zigmond. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 110:1067-1075). To begin to understand the regulation of F-actin depolymerization, we have examined F-actin depolymerization in lysates of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Surprisingly, much of the cell F-actin, measured with a TRITC-phalloidin-binding assay, was stable after lysis in a physiological salt buffer (0.15 M KCl): approximately 50% of the F-actin did not depolymerize even after 18 h. This stable F-actin included lamellar F-actin which could still be visualized one hour after lysis by staining with TRITC-phalloidin and by EM. We investigated the basis for this stability. In lysates with cell concentrations greater than 10(7) cells/ml, sufficient globular actin (G-actin) was present to result in a net increase in F-actin. However, the F-actin stability was not solely because of the presence of free G-actin since addition of DNase I to the lysate did not increase the F-actin loss. Nor did it appear to be because of barbed end capping factors since cell lysates provided sites for barbed end polymerization of exogenous added actin. The stable F-actin existed in a macromolecular complex that pelleted at low gravitational forces. Increasing the salt concentration of the lysis buffer decreased the amount of F-actin that pelleted at low gravitational forces and increased the amount of F-actin that depolymerized. Various actin-binding and cross-linking proteins such as tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, and actin-binding protein pelleted with the stable F-actin. In addition, we found that alpha-actinin, a filament cross-linking protein, inhibited the rate of pyrenyl F-actin depolymerization. These results suggested that actin cross-linking proteins may contribute to the stability of cellular actin after lysis. The activity of crosslinkers may be regulated in vivo to allow rapid turnover of lamellipodia F-actin.

scholarly journals Type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase controls neutrophil polarity and directional movement

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (7) ◽  
pp. 1539-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Ana Lacalle ◽  
Rosa M. Peregil ◽  
Juan Pablo Albar ◽  
Ernesto Merino ◽  
Carlos Martínez-A ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Type I ◽  
Lipid Kinase ◽  
Erm Proteins ◽  
Chemical Gradients ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 4

Directional cell movement in response to external chemical gradients requires establishment of front–rear asymmetry, which distinguishes an up-gradient protrusive leading edge, where Rac-induced F-actin polymerization takes place, and a down-gradient retractile tail (uropod in leukocytes), where RhoA-mediated actomyosin contraction occurs. The signals that govern this spatial and functional asymmetry are not entirely understood. We show that the human type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase isoform β (PIPKIβ) has a role in organizing signaling at the cell rear. We found that PIPKIβ polarized at the uropod of neutrophil-differentiated HL60 cells. PIPKIβ localization was independent of its lipid kinase activity, but required the 83 C-terminal amino acids, which are not homologous to other PIPKI isoforms. The PIPKIβ C terminus interacted with EBP50 (4.1-ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-binding phosphoprotein 50), which enabled further interactions with ERM proteins and the Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDI). Knockdown of PIPKIβ with siRNA inhibited cell polarization and impaired cell directionality during dHL60 chemotaxis, suggesting a role for PIPKIβ in these processes.

scholarly journals Interaction of the Endocytic Scaffold Protein Pan1 with the Type I Myosins Contributes to the Late Stages of Endocytosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 2893-2903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Barker ◽  
Linda Lee ◽  
B. Daniel Pierce ◽  
Lymarie Maldonado-Báez ◽  
David G. Drubin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Stage ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Type I ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Rich Domain ◽  
C Terminus

The yeast endocytic scaffold Pan1 contains an uncharacterized proline-rich domain (PRD) at its carboxy (C)-terminus. We report that the pan1-20 temperature-sensitive allele has a disrupted PRD due to a frame-shift mutation in the open reading frame of the domain. To reveal redundantly masked functions of the PRD, synthetic genetic array screens with a pan1ΔPRD strain found genetic interactions with alleles of ACT1, LAS17 and a deletion of SLA1. Through a yeast two-hybrid screen, the Src homology 3 domains of the type I myosins, Myo3 and Myo5, were identified as binding partners for the C-terminus of Pan1. In vitro and in vivo assays validated this interaction. The relative timing of recruitment of Pan1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Myo3/5-red fluorescent protein (RFP) at nascent endocytic sites was revealed by two-color real-time fluorescence microscopy; the type I myosins join Pan1 at cortical patches at a late stage of internalization, preceding the inward movement of Pan1 and its disassembly. In cells lacking the Pan1 PRD, we observed an increased lifetime of Myo5-GFP at the cortex. Finally, Pan1 PRD enhanced the actin polymerization activity of Myo5–Vrp1 complexes in vitro. We propose that Pan1 and the type I myosins interactions promote an actin activity important at a late stage in endocytic internalization.

scholarly journals Overexpression of cofilin stimulates bundling of actin filaments, membrane ruffling, and cell movement in Dictyostelium.

1996 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Aizawa ◽  
K Sutoh ◽  
I Yahara
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Membrane Ruffling ◽  
And Function

Cofilin is a low molecular weight actin-modulating protein whose structure and function are conserved among eucaryotes. Cofilin exhibits in vitro both a monomeric actin-sequestering activity and a filamentous actin-severing activity. To investigate in vivo functions of cofilin, cofilin was overexpressed in Dictyostelium discoideum cells. An increase in the content of D. discoideum cofilin (d-cofilin) by sevenfold induced a co-overproduction of actin by threefold. In cells over-expressing d-cofilin, the amount of filamentous actin but not that of monomeric actin was increased. Overexpressed d-cofilin co-sedimented with actin filaments, suggesting that the sequestering activity of d-cofilin is weak in vivo. The overexpression of d-cofilin increased actin bundles just beneath ruffling membranes where d-cofilin was co-localized. The overexpression of d-cofilin also stimulated cell movement as well as membrane ruffling. We have demonstrated in vitro that d-cofilin transformed latticework of actin filaments cross-linked by alpha-actinin into bundles probably by severing the filaments. D. discoideum cofilin may sever actin filaments in vivo and induce bundling of the filaments in the presence of cross-linking proteins so as to generate contractile systems involved in membrane ruffling and cell movement.

scholarly journals The TRE17 Oncogene Encodes a Component of a Novel Effector Pathway for Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 and Stimulates Actin Remodeling

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 2151-2161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Masuda-Robens ◽  
Sara N. Kutney ◽  
Hongwei Qi ◽  
Margaret M. Chou
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Actin Remodeling ◽  
Membrane Recruitment ◽  
Truncation Mutant ◽  
Effector Pathway

ABSTRACT The Rho family GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 play fundamental roles in transformation and actin remodeling. Here, we demonstrate that the TRE17 oncogene encodes a component of a novel effector pathway for these GTPases. TRE17 coprecipitated specifically with the active forms of Cdc42 and Rac1 in vivo. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of TRE17 was dramatically regulated by these GTPases and mitogens. Under serum-starved conditions, TRE17 localized predominantly to filamentous structures within the cell. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced relocalization of TRE17 to the plasma membrane in a Cdc42-/Rac1-dependent manner. Coexpression of activated alleles of Cdc42 or Rac1 also caused complete redistribution of TRE17 to the plasma membrane, where it partially colocalized with the GTPases in filopodia and ruffles, respectively. Membrane recruitment of TRE17 by EGF or the GTPases was dependent on actin polymerization. Finally, we found that a C-terminal truncation mutant of TRE17 induced the accumulation of cortical actin, mimicking the effects of activated Cdc42. Together, these results identify TRE17 as part of a novel effector complex for Cdc42 and Rac1, potentially contributing to their effects on actin remodeling. The present study provides insights into the regulation and cellular function of this previously uncharacterized oncogene.

Side-chain amino acid based cationic polymer induced actin polymerization

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1218-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binoy Maiti ◽  
Priyanka Dutta ◽  
Soma Seal ◽  
Sunirmal Pal ◽  
Priyadarsi De ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cationic Polymer ◽  
Side Chain

A side-chain amino acid (alanine) based cationic polymer is able to nucleate, polymerize and stabilize actin filaments in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms for the Mechanical Modulation of Airway Responsiveness

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenwu Zhang ◽  
Susan J. Gunst
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Airway Smooth Muscle ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Airway Responsiveness ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Cortical Actin

The smooth muscle of the airways is exposed to continuously changing mechanical forces during normal breathing. The mechanical oscillations that occur during breathing have profound effects on airway tone and airway responsiveness both in experimental animals and humans in vivo and in isolated airway tissues in vitro. Experimental evidence suggests that alterations in the contractile and mechanical properties of airway smooth muscle tissues caused by mechanical perturbations result from adaptive changes in the organization of the cytoskeletal architecture of the smooth muscle cell. The cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure that undergoes rapid reorganization in response to external mechanical and pharmacologic stimuli. Contractile stimulation initiates the assembly of cytoskeletal/extracellular matrix adhesion complex proteins into large macromolecular signaling complexes (adhesomes) that undergo activation to mediate the polymerization and reorganization of a submembranous network of actin filaments at the cortex of the cell. Cortical actin polymerization is catalyzed by Neuronal-Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and the Arp2/3 complex, which are activated by pathways regulated by paxillin and the small GTPase, cdc42. These processes create a strong and rigid cytoskeletal framework that may serve to strengthen the membrane for the transmission of force generated by the contractile apparatus to the extracellular matrix, and to enable the adaptation of smooth muscle cells to mechanical stresses. This model for the regulation of airway smooth muscle function can provide novel perspectives to explain the normal physiologic behavior of the airways and pathophysiologic properties of the airways in asthma.

scholarly journals Bundling of actin filaments by elongation factor 1 alpha inhibits polymerization at filament ends.

1996 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 1309-1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
J W Murray ◽  
B T Edmonds ◽  
G Liu ◽  
J Condeelis
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Molar Ratios ◽  
Elongation Factor 1 Alpha ◽  
Elongation Factor 1

Elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1 alpha) is an abundant protein that binds aminoacyl-tRNA and ribosomes in a GTP-dependent manner. EF1 alpha also interacts with the cytoskeleton by binding and bundling actin filaments and microtubules. In this report, the effect of purified EF1 alpha on actin polymerization and depolymerization is examined. At molar ratios present in the cytosol, EF1 alpha significantly blocks both polymerization and depolymerization of actin filaments and increases the final extent of actin polymer, while at high molar ratios to actin, EF1 alpha nucleates actin polymerization. Although EF1 alpha binds actin monomer, this monomer-binding activity does not explain the effects of EF1 alpha on actin polymerization at physiological molar ratios. The mechanism for the inhibition of polymerization is related to the actin-bundling activity of EF1 alpha. Both ends of the actin filament are inhibited for polymerization and both bundling and the inhibition of actin polymerization are affected by pH within the same physiological range; at high pH both bundling and the inhibition of actin polymerization are reduced. Additionally, it is seen that the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to EF1 alpha releases EF1 alpha's inhibiting effect on actin polymerization. These data demonstrate that EF1 alpha can alter the assembly of F-actin, a filamentous scaffold on which non-membrane-associated protein translation may be occurring in vivo.

scholarly journals Yeast actin-binding proteins: evidence for a role in morphogenesis.

1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 2551-2561 ◽  
Author(s):  
D G Drubin ◽  
K G Miller ◽  
D Botstein
Keyword(s):  
Yeast Cell ◽  
Myosin Heavy Chain ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Actin Binding Protein

Three yeast actin-binding proteins were identified using yeast actin filaments as an affinity matrix. One protein appears to be a yeast myosin heavy chain; it is dissociated from actin filaments by ATP, it is similar in size (200 kD) to other myosins, and antibodies directed against Dictyostelium myosin heavy chain bind to it. Immunofluorescence experiments show that a second actin-binding protein (67 kD) colocalizes in vivo with both cytoplasmic actin cables and cortical actin patches, the only identifiable actin structures in yeast. The cortical actin patches are concentrated at growing surfaces of the yeast cell where they might play a role in membrane and cell wall insertion, and the third actin-binding protein (85 kD) is only detected in association with these structures. This 85-kD protein is therefore a candidate for a determinant of growth sites. The in vivo role of this protein was tested by overproduction; this overproduction causes a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton which in turn dramatically affects the budding pattern and spatial growth organization of the yeast cell.

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