scholarly journals RACK1 plays a critical role in mast cell secretion and calcium mobilization by modulating F-actin dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edismauro G. Freitas Filho ◽  
Elaine Z. M. da Silva ◽  
Hwei Ling Ong ◽  
William D. Swaim ◽  
Indu S. Ambudkar ◽  
...  

Although RACK1 is known to act as a signaling hub in immune cells, its presence and role in mast cells (MCs) is undetermined. MC activation via antigen stimulation results in mediator release and is preceded by cytoskeleton reorganization and calcium mobilization. In this study RACK1 was distributed throughout the MC cytoplasm both in vivo and in vitro. After RACK1 knockdown (KD), MCs cells were rounded, and the cortical F-actin was fragmented. Following antigen stimulation, in RACK1 KD MCs there was a reduction in cortical F-actin, an increase in monomeric G-actin, and a failure to organize F-actin. RACK1 KD also increased and accelerated degranulation. CD63+-secretory granules were localized in F-actin-free cortical regions in non-stimulated RACK1 KD MCs. Additionally, RACK1 KD increased antigen-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization, but attenuated antigen-stimulated depletion of ER Ca2+-stores and thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry. Following MC activation there was also an increase in interaction of RACK1 with Orai1 Ca2+-channels, β-actin and the actin binding proteins vinculin and MyoVa. These results show that RACK1 is a critical regulator of actin dynamics affecting mediator secretion, and calcium signaling in MCs.

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 827-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Revenu ◽  
Matthieu Courtois ◽  
Alphée Michelot ◽  
Cécile Sykes ◽  
Daniel Louvard ◽  
...  

Villin, an actin-binding protein associated with the actin bundles that support microvilli, bundles, caps, nucleates, and severs actin in a calcium-dependant manner in vitro. We hypothesized that the severing activity of villin is responsible for its reported role in enhancing cell plasticity and motility. To test this hypothesis, we chose a loss of function strategy and introduced mutations in villin based on sequence comparison with CapG. By pyrene-actin assays, we demonstrate that this mutant has a strongly reduced severing activity, whereas nucleation and capping remain unaffected. The bundling activity and the morphogenic effects of villin in cells are also preserved in this mutant. We thus succeeded in dissociating the severing from the three other activities of villin. The contribution of villin severing to actin dynamics is analyzed in vivo through the actin-based movement of the intracellular bacteria Shigella flexneri in cells expressing villin and its severing variant. The severing mutations abolish the gain of velocity induced by villin. To further analyze this effect, we reconstituted an in vitro actin-based bead movement in which the usual capping protein is replaced by either the wild type or the severing mutant of villin. Confirming the in vivo results, villin-severing activity enhances the velocity of beads by more than two-fold and reduces the density of actin in the comets. We propose a model in which, by severing actin filaments and capping their barbed ends, villin increases the concentration of actin monomers available for polymerization, a mechanism that might be paralleled in vivo when an enterocyte undergoes an epithelio-mesenchymal transition.


2000 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 895-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy K. Wolven ◽  
Lisa D. Belmont ◽  
Nicole M. Mahoney ◽  
Steven C. Almo ◽  
David G. Drubin

The actin monomer-binding protein, profilin, influences the dynamics of actin filaments in vitro by suppressing nucleation, enhancing nucleotide exchange on actin, and promoting barbed-end assembly. Profilin may also link signaling pathways to actin cytoskeleton organization by binding to the phosphoinositide PIP2 and to polyproline stretches on several proteins. Although activities of profilin have been studied extensively in vitro, the significance of each of these activities in vivo needs to be tested. To study profilin function, we extensively mutagenized the Saccharomyces cerevisiae profilin gene (PFY1) and examined the consequences of specific point mutations on growth and actin organization. The actin-binding region of profilin was shown to be critical in vivo. act1-157, an actin mutant with an increased intrinsic rate of nucleotide exchange, suppressed defects in actin organization, cell growth, and fluid-phase endocytosis of pfy1-4, a profilin mutant defective in actin binding. In reactions containing actin, profilin, and cofilin, profilin was required for fast rates of actin filament turnover. However, Act1-157p circumvented the requirement for profilin. Based on the results of these studies, we conclude that in living cells profilin promotes rapid actin dynamics by regenerating ATP actin from ADP actin–cofilin generated during filament disassembly.


2015 ◽  
Vol 211 (6) ◽  
pp. 1177-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costanza Giampietro ◽  
Andrea Disanza ◽  
Luca Bravi ◽  
Miriam Barrios-Rodiles ◽  
Monica Corada ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial (VE)–cadherin transfers intracellular signals contributing to vascular hemostasis. Signaling through VE-cadherin requires association and activity of different intracellular partners. Yes-associated protein (YAP)/TAZ transcriptional cofactors are important regulators of cell growth and organ size. We show that EPS8, a signaling adapter regulating actin dynamics, is a novel partner of VE-cadherin and is able to modulate YAP activity. By biochemical and imaging approaches, we demonstrate that EPS8 associates with the VE-cadherin complex of remodeling junctions promoting YAP translocation to the nucleus and transcriptional activation. Conversely, in stabilized junctions, 14–3-3–YAP associates with the VE–cadherin complex, whereas Eps8 is excluded. Junctional association of YAP inhibits nuclear translocation and inactivates its transcriptional activity both in vitro and in vivo in Eps8-null mice. The absence of Eps8 also increases vascular permeability in vivo, but did not induce other major vascular defects. Collectively, we identified novel components of the adherens junction complex, and we introduce a novel molecular mechanism through which the VE-cadherin complex controls YAP transcriptional activity.


1997 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-France Carlier ◽  
Valérie Laurent ◽  
Jérôme Santolini ◽  
Ronald Melki ◽  
Dominique Didry ◽  
...  

Actin-binding proteins of the actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family are thought to control actin-based motile processes. ADF1 from Arabidopsis thaliana appears to be a good model that is functionally similar to other members of the family. The function of ADF in actin dynamics has been examined using a combination of physical–chemical methods and actin-based motility assays, under physiological ionic conditions and at pH 7.8. ADF binds the ADPbound forms of G- or F-actin with an affinity two orders of magnitude higher than the ATP- or ADP-Pi– bound forms. A major property of ADF is its ability to enhance the in vitro turnover rate (treadmilling) of actin filaments to a value comparable to that observed in vivo in motile lamellipodia. ADF increases the rate of propulsion of Listeria monocytogenes in highly diluted, ADF-limited platelet extracts and shortens the actin tails. These effects are mediated by the participation of ADF in actin filament assembly, which results in a change in the kinetic parameters at the two ends of the actin filament. The kinetic effects of ADF are end specific and cannot be accounted for by filament severing. The main functionally relevant effect is a 25-fold increase in the rate of actin dissociation from the pointed ends, while the rate of dissociation from the barbed ends is unchanged. This large increase in the rate-limiting step of the monomer-polymer cycle at steady state is responsible for the increase in the rate of actin-based motile processes. In conclusion, the function of ADF is not to sequester G-actin. ADF uses ATP hydrolysis in actin assembly to enhance filament dynamics.


Haematologica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga Scheller ◽  
Sarah Beck ◽  
Vanessa Göb ◽  
Carina Gross ◽  
Raluca A. I. Neagoe ◽  
...  

Coordinated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton are pivotal for platelet biogenesis from megakaryocytes (MKs) but also orchestrate key functions of peripheral platelets in hemostasis and thrombosis, such as granule release, the formation of filopodia and lamellipodia, or clot retraction. Along with profilin (Pfn) 1, thymosin β4 (encoded by Tmsb4x) is one of the two main G-actin sequestering proteins within cells of higher eukaryotes, and its intracellular concentration is particularly high in cells that rapidly respond to external signals by increased motility, such as platelets. Here, we analyzed constitutive Tmsb4x knockout (KO) mice to investigate the functional role of the protein in platelet production and function. Thymosin β4 deficiency resulted in a macrothrombocytopenia with only mildly increased platelet volume and an unaltered platelet life span. MK numbers in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen were unaltered, however, Tmsb4x KO MKs showed defective proplatelet formation in vitro and in vivo. Thymosin β4 deficient platelets displayed markedly decreased G-actin levels and concomitantly increased F-actin levels resulting in accelerated spreading on fibrinogen and clot retraction. Moreover, Tmsb4x KO platelets showed activation defects and an impaired immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signaling downstream of the activating collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI. These defects translated into impaired aggregate formation under flow, protection from occlusive arterial thrombus formation in vivo and increased tail bleeding times. In summary, these findings point to a critical role of thymosin β4 for actin dynamics during platelet biogenesis, platelet activation downstream of GPVI and thrombus stability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshaya Ravichandran ◽  
Mengxin Geng ◽  
Kenneth G. Hull ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Daniel Romo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Occidiofungin is produced by the soil bacterium Burkolderia contaminans MS14 and is structurally similar or identical to the burkholdines, xylocandins, and cepacidines. This study identified the primary cellular target of occidiofungin, which was determined to be actin. The modification of occidiofungin with a functional alkyne group enabled affinity purification assays and localization studies in yeast. Occidiofungin has a subtle effect on actin dynamics that triggers apoptotic cell death. We demonstrate the highly specific localization of occidiofungin to cellular regions rich in actin in yeast and the binding of occidiofungin to purified actin in vitro. Furthermore, a disruption of actin-mediated cellular processes, such as endocytosis, nuclear segregation, and hyphal formation, was observed. All of these processes require the formation of stable actin cables, which are disrupted following the addition of a subinhibitory concentration of occidiofungin. We were also able to demonstrate the effectiveness of occidiofungin in treating a vulvovaginal yeast infection in a murine model. The results of this study are important for the development of an efficacious novel class of actin binding drugs that may fill the existing gap in treatment options for fungal infections or different types of cancer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 209 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo-Ra Na ◽  
Hye-Ran Kim ◽  
Indre Piragyte ◽  
Hyun-Mee Oh ◽  
Min-Sung Kwon ◽  
...  

The formation of an immunological synapse (IS) requires tight regulation of actin dynamics by many actin polymerizing/depolymerizing proteins. However, the significance of actin stabilization at the IS remains largely unknown. In this paper, we identify a novel function of TAGLN2—an actin-binding protein predominantly expressed in T cells—in stabilizing cortical F-actin, thereby maintaining F-actin contents at the IS and acquiring LFA-1 (leukocyte function-associated antigen-1) activation after T cell receptor stimulation. TAGLN2 blocks actin depolymerization and competes with cofilin both in vitro and in vivo. Knockout of TAGLN2 (TAGLN2−/−) reduced F-actin content and destabilized F-actin ring formation, resulting in decreased cell adhesion and spreading. TAGLN2−/− T cells displayed weakened cytokine production and cytotoxic effector function. These findings reveal a novel function of TAGLN2 in enhancing T cell responses by controlling actin stability at the IS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasnuva Sarowar ◽  
Andreas M. Grabrucker

Shank proteins (Shank1, Shank2, and Shank3) act as scaffolding molecules in the postsynaptic density of many excitatory neurons. Mutations in SHANK genes, in particular SHANK2 and SHANK3, lead to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in both human and mouse models. Shank3 proteins are made of several domains—the Shank/ProSAP N-terminal (SPN) domain, ankyrin repeats, SH3 domain, PDZ domain, a proline-rich region, and the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain. Via various binding partners of these domains, Shank3 is able to bind and interact with a wide range of proteins including modulators of small GTPases such as RICH2, a RhoGAP protein, andβPIX, a RhoGEF protein for Rac1 and Cdc42, actin binding proteins and actin modulators. Dysregulation of all isoforms of Shank proteins, but especially Shank3, leads to alterations in spine morphogenesis, shape, and activity of the synapse via altering actin dynamics. Therefore, here, we highlight the role of Shank proteins as modulators of small GTPases and, ultimately, actin dynamics, as found in multiplein vitroandin vivomodels. The failure to mediate this regulatory role might present a shared mechanism in the pathophysiology of autism-associated mutations, which leads to dysregulation of spine morphogenesis and synaptic signaling.


2001 ◽  
Vol 357 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi CAO ◽  
Qing KANG ◽  
Anna ZOLKIEWSKA

ADAM 12, a member of the ADAM family of proteins (containing ADisintegrin And Metalloprotease domain), has been implicated in differentiation and fusion of myoblasts. While the extracellular domain of ADAM 12 contains an active metalloprotease and a region involved in cell adhesion, the function of the cytoplasmic tail of ADAM 12 has been less clear. Here we show that the cytoplasmic domain of ADAM 12 interacts in vitro and in vivo with α-actinin-1, an actin-binding and cross-linking protein. Green fluorescent protein fused to ADAM 12 cytoplasmic domain co-localizes with α-actinin-1-containing actin stress fibres in C2C12 cells. The interaction between ADAM 12 and α-actinin-1 is direct and involves the 58-amino acid C-terminal fragment of ADAM 12 and the 27kDa N-terminal domain of α-actinin-1. Consistently, expression of the 27kDa fragment of α-actinin-1 in C2C12 cells using a mitochondrial targeting system results in recruitment of the co-expressed ADAM 12 cytoplasmic domain to the mitochondrial surface. Moreover, α-actinin-1 co-purifies with a transmembrane, His6-tagged form of ADAM 12 expressed in C2C12 myoblasts, indicating that the transmembrane ADAM 12 forms a complex with α-actinin-1 in vivo. These results indicate that the actin cytoskeleton may play a critical role in ADAM 12-mediated cell–cell adhesion or cell signalling during myoblast differentiation and fusion.


Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiuna Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Jiang ◽  
Jie Yin ◽  
Shiying Dou ◽  
Xiaoli Xie ◽  
...  

AbstractRING finger proteins (RNFs) play a critical role in cancer initiation and progression. RNF141 is a member of RNFs family; however, its clinical significance, roles, and mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the expression of RNF141 in 64 pairs of CRC and adjacent normal tissues by real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. We found that there was more expression of RNF141 in CRC tissue compared with its adjacent normal tissue and high RNF141 expression associated with T stage. In vivo and in vitro functional experiments were conducted and revealed the oncogenic role of RNF141 in CRC. RNF141 knockdown suppressed proliferation, arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, inhibited migration, invasion and HUVEC tube formation but promoted apoptosis, whereas RNF141 overexpression exerted the opposite effects in CRC cells. The subcutaneous xenograft models showed that RNF141 knockdown reduced tumor growth, but its overexpression promoted tumor growth. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry indicated RNF141 interacted with KRAS, which was confirmed by Co-immunoprecipitation, Immunofluorescence assay. Further analysis with bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays showed that RNF141 could directly bind to KRAS. Importantly, the upregulation of RNF141 increased GTP-bound KRAS, but its knockdown resulted in a reduction accordingly. Next, we demonstrated that RNF141 induced KRAS activation via increasing its enrichment on the plasma membrane not altering total KRAS expression, which was facilitated by the interaction with LYPLA1. Moreover, KRAS silencing partially abolished the effect of RNF141 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, our findings presented that RNF141 functioned as an oncogene by upregulating KRAS activity in a manner of promoting KRAS enrichment on the plasma membrane in CRC.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document