scholarly journals Discrete mechanical model of lamellipodial actin network implements molecular clutch mechanism and generates arcs and microspikes

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. e1009506
Author(s):  
David M. Rutkowski ◽  
Dimitrios Vavylonis
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Viscous Drag ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Clutch Mechanism

Mechanical forces, actin filament turnover, and adhesion to the extracellular environment regulate lamellipodial protrusions. Computational and mathematical models at the continuum level have been used to investigate the molecular clutch mechanism, calculating the stress profile through the lamellipodium and around focal adhesions. However, the forces and deformations of individual actin filaments have not been considered while interactions between actin networks and actin bundles is not easily accounted with such methods. We develop a filament-level model of a lamellipodial actin network undergoing retrograde flow using 3D Brownian dynamics. Retrograde flow is promoted in simulations by pushing forces from the leading edge (due to actin polymerization), pulling forces (due to molecular motors), and opposed by viscous drag in cytoplasm and focal adhesions. Simulated networks have densities similar to measurements in prior electron micrographs. Connectivity between individual actin segments is maintained by permanent and dynamic crosslinkers. Remodeling of the network occurs via the addition of single actin filaments near the leading edge and via filament bond severing. We investigated how several parameters affect the stress distribution, network deformation and retrograde flow speed. The model captures the decrease in retrograde flow upon increase of focal adhesion strength. The stress profile changes from compression to extension across the leading edge, with regions of filament bending around focal adhesions. The model reproduces the observed reduction in retrograde flow speed upon exposure to cytochalasin D, which halts actin polymerization. Changes in crosslinker concentration and dynamics, as well as in the orientation pattern of newly added filaments demonstrate the model’s ability to generate bundles of filaments perpendicular (actin arcs) or parallel (microspikes) to the protruding direction.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Actin–Myosin II System in Fish Epidermal Keratocytes: Mechanism of Cell Body Translocation

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana M. Svitkina ◽  
Alexander B. Verkhovsky ◽  
Kyle M. McQuade ◽  
Gary G. Borisy
Keyword(s):  
Cell Body ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Supramolecular Organization ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Body Boundary ◽  
Filament Bundles

While the protrusive event of cell locomotion is thought to be driven by actin polymerization, the mechanism of forward translocation of the cell body is unclear. To elucidate the mechanism of cell body translocation, we analyzed the supramolecular organization of the actin–myosin II system and the dynamics of myosin II in fish epidermal keratocytes. In lamellipodia, long actin filaments formed dense networks with numerous free ends in a brushlike manner near the leading edge. Shorter actin filaments often formed T junctions with longer filaments in the brushlike area, suggesting that new filaments could be nucleated at sides of preexisting filaments or linked to them immediately after nucleation. The polarity of actin filaments was almost uniform, with barbed ends forward throughout most of the lamellipodia but mixed in arc-shaped filament bundles at the lamellipodial/cell body boundary. Myosin II formed discrete clusters of bipolar minifilaments in lamellipodia that increased in size and density towards the cell body boundary and colocalized with actin in boundary bundles. Time-lapse observation demonstrated that myosin clusters appeared in the lamellipodia and remained stationary with respect to the substratum in locomoting cells, but they exhibited retrograde flow in cells tethered in epithelioid colonies. Consequently, both in locomoting and stationary cells, myosin clusters approached the cell body boundary, where they became compressed and aligned, resulting in the formation of boundary bundles. In locomoting cells, the compression was associated with forward displacement of myosin features. These data are not consistent with either sarcomeric or polarized transport mechanisms of cell body translocation. We propose that the forward translocation of the cell body and retrograde flow in the lamellipodia are both driven by contraction of an actin–myosin network in the lamellipodial/cell body transition zone.

scholarly journals Tracking Retrograde Flow in Keratocytes: News from the Front

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 1223-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Vallotton ◽  
Gaudenz Danuser ◽  
Sophie Bohnet ◽  
Jean-Jacques Meister ◽  
Alexander B. Verkhovsky
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Freely Moving ◽  
Contractile Forces ◽  
Cell Motion ◽  
Shape Changes

Actin assembly at the leading edge of the cell is believed to drive protrusion, whereas membrane resistance and contractile forces result in retrograde flow of the assembled actin network away from the edge. Thus, cell motion and shape changes are expected to depend on the balance of actin assembly and retrograde flow. This idea, however, has been undermined by the reported absence of flow in one of the most spectacular models of cell locomotion, fish epidermal keratocytes. Here, we use enhanced phase contrast and fluorescent speckle microscopy and particle tracking to analyze the motion of the actin network in keratocyte lamellipodia. We have detected retrograde flow throughout the lamellipodium at velocities of 1–3 μm/min and analyzed its organization and relation to the cell motion during both unobstructed, persistent migration and events of cell collision. Freely moving cells exhibited a graded flow velocity increasing toward the sides of the lamellipodium. In colliding cells, the velocity decreased markedly at the site of collision, with striking alteration of flow in other lamellipodium regions. Our findings support the universality of the flow phenomenon and indicate that the maintenance of keratocyte shape during locomotion depends on the regulation of both retrograde flow and actin polymerization.

scholarly journals Instantaneous inactivation of cofilin reveals its function of F-actin disassembly in lamellipodia

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (14) ◽  
pp. 2238-2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Vitriol ◽  
Ariel L. Wise ◽  
Mathew E. Berginski ◽  
James R. Bamburg ◽  
James Q. Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Principal Role ◽  
Actin Turnover ◽  
And Control ◽  
In Cells

Cofilin is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. It can sever actin filaments, accelerate filament disassembly, act as a nucleation factor, recruit or antagonize other actin regulators, and control the pool of polymerization-competent actin monomers. In cells these actions have complex functional outputs. The timing and localization of cofilin activity are carefully regulated, and thus global, long-term perturbations may not be sufficient to probe its precise function. To better understand cofilin's spatiotemporal action in cells, we implemented chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (CALI) to instantly and specifically inactivate it. In addition to globally inhibiting actin turnover, CALI of cofilin generated several profound effects on the lamellipodia, including an increase of F-actin, a rearward expansion of the actin network, and a reduction in retrograde flow speed. These results support the hypothesis that the principal role of cofilin in lamellipodia at steady state is to break down F-actin, control filament turnover, and regulate the rate of retrograde flow.

scholarly journals Vinculin–actin interaction couples actin retrograde flow to focal adhesions, but is dispensable for focal adhesion growth

2013 ◽  
Vol 202 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Thievessen ◽  
Peter M. Thompson ◽  
Sylvain Berlemont ◽  
Karen M. Plevock ◽  
Sergey V. Plotnikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Primary Fibroblasts

In migrating cells, integrin-based focal adhesions (FAs) assemble in protruding lamellipodia in association with rapid filamentous actin (F-actin) assembly and retrograde flow. How dynamic F-actin is coupled to FA is not known. We analyzed the role of vinculin in integrating F-actin and FA dynamics by vinculin gene disruption in primary fibroblasts. Vinculin slowed F-actin flow in maturing FA to establish a lamellipodium–lamellum border and generate high extracellular matrix (ECM) traction forces. In addition, vinculin promoted nascent FA formation and turnover in lamellipodia and inhibited the frequency and rate of FA maturation. Characterization of a vinculin point mutant that specifically disrupts F-actin binding showed that vinculin–F-actin interaction is critical for these functions. However, FA growth rate correlated with F-actin flow speed independently of vinculin. Thus, vinculin functions as a molecular clutch, organizing leading edge F-actin, generating ECM traction, and promoting FA formation and turnover, but vinculin is dispensible for FA growth.

scholarly journals Piezo2 channel regulates RhoA and actin cytoskeleton to promote cell mechanobiological responses

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1925-1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Pardo-Pastor ◽  
Fanny Rubio-Moscardo ◽  
Marina Vogel-González ◽  
Selma A. Serra ◽  
Alexandros Afthinos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Fyn Kinase ◽  
Downstream Effector ◽  
Metastatic Cells

Actin polymerization and assembly into stress fibers (SFs) is central to many cellular processes. However, how SFs form in response to the mechanical interaction of cells with their environment is not fully understood. Here we have identified Piezo2 mechanosensitive cationic channel as a transducer of environmental physical cues into mechanobiological responses. Piezo2 is needed by brain metastatic cells from breast cancer (MDA-MB-231-BrM2) to probe their physical environment as they anchor and pull on their surroundings or when confronted with confined migration through narrow pores. Piezo2-mediated Ca2+ influx activates RhoA to control the formation and orientation of SFs and focal adhesions (FAs). A possible mechanism for the Piezo2-mediated activation of RhoA involves the recruitment of the Fyn kinase to the cell leading edge as well as calpain activation. Knockdown of Piezo2 in BrM2 cells alters SFs, FAs, and nuclear translocation of YAP; a phenotype rescued by overexpression of dominant-positive RhoA or its downstream effector, mDia1. Consequently, hallmarks of cancer invasion and metastasis related to RhoA, actin cytoskeleton, and/or force transmission, such as migration, extracellular matrix degradation, and Serpin B2 secretion, were reduced in cells lacking Piezo2.

scholarly journals Shootin1–cortactin interaction mediates signal–force transduction for axon outgrowth

2015 ◽  
Vol 210 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Kubo ◽  
Kentarou Baba ◽  
Michinori Toriyama ◽  
Takunori Minegishi ◽  
Tadao Sugiura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Environmental Chemical ◽  
Mechanical Coupling ◽  
Cell Adhesions ◽  
Force Transduction

Motile cells transduce environmental chemical signals into mechanical forces to achieve properly controlled migration. This signal–force transduction is thought to require regulated mechanical coupling between actin filaments (F-actins), which undergo retrograde flow at the cellular leading edge, and cell adhesions via linker “clutch” molecules. However, the molecular machinery mediating this regulatory coupling remains unclear. Here we show that the F-actin binding molecule cortactin directly interacts with a clutch molecule, shootin1, in axonal growth cones, thereby mediating the linkage between F-actin retrograde flow and cell adhesions through L1-CAM. Shootin1–cortactin interaction was enhanced by shootin1 phosphorylation by Pak1, which is activated by the axonal chemoattractant netrin-1. We provide evidence that shootin1–cortactin interaction participates in netrin-1–induced F-actin adhesion coupling and in the promotion of traction forces for axon outgrowth. Under cell signaling, this regulatory F-actin adhesion coupling in growth cones cooperates with actin polymerization for efficient cellular motility.

scholarly journals Tropomyosin Isoform Expression Regulates the Transition of Adhesions To Determine Cell Speed and Direction

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1506-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuc T. T. Bach ◽  
Sarah Creed ◽  
Jessie Zhong ◽  
Maha Mahmassani ◽  
Galina Schevzov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Focal Complex

ABSTRACT The balance of transition between distinct adhesion types contributes to the regulation of mesenchymal cell migration, and the characteristic association of adhesions with actin filaments led us to question the role of actin filament-associating proteins in the transition between adhesive states. Tropomyosin isoform association with actin filaments imparts distinct filament structures, and we have thus investigated the role for tropomyosins in determining the formation of distinct adhesion structures. Using combinations of overexpression, knockdown, and knockout approaches, we establish that Tm5NM1 preferentially stabilizes focal adhesions and drives the transition to fibrillar adhesions via stabilization of actin filaments. Moreover, our data suggest that the expression of Tm5NM1 is a critical determinant of paxillin phosphorylation, a signaling event that is necessary for focal adhesion disassembly. Thus, we propose that Tm5NM1 can regulate the feedback loop between focal adhesion disassembly and focal complex formation at the leading edge that is required for productive and directed cell movement.

scholarly journals Lamellipodin promotes actin assembly by clustering Ena/VASP proteins and tethering them to actin filaments

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D Hansen ◽  
R Dyche Mullins
Keyword(s):  
Axon Guidance ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Polymerase Activity ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Filament Assembly

Enabled/Vasodilator (Ena/VASP) proteins promote actin filament assembly at multiple locations, including: leading edge membranes, focal adhesions, and the surface of intracellular pathogens. One important Ena/VASP regulator is the mig-10/Lamellipodin/RIAM family of adaptors that promote lamellipod formation in fibroblasts and drive neurite outgrowth and axon guidance in neurons. To better understand how MRL proteins promote actin network formation we studied the interactions between Lamellipodin (Lpd), actin, and VASP, both in vivo and in vitro. We find that Lpd binds directly to actin filaments and that this interaction regulates its subcellular localization and enhances its effect on VASP polymerase activity. We propose that Lpd delivers Ena/VASP proteins to growing barbed ends and increases their polymerase activity by tethering them to filaments. This interaction represents one more pathway by which growing actin filaments produce positive feedback to control localization and activity of proteins that regulate their assembly.

scholarly journals Nascent adhesions differentially regulate lamellipodium velocity and persistence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith R Carney ◽  
Akib M Khan ◽  
Shiela C Samson ◽  
Nikhil Mittal ◽  
Sangyoon J Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Membrane Tension ◽  
Cell Edge ◽  
Ratchet Mechanism ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Clutch Mechanism

Cell migration is essential to physiological and pathological biology. Migration is driven by the motion of a leading edge, in which actin polymerization pushes against the edge and adhesions transmit traction to the substrate while membrane tension increases. How the actin and adhesions synergistically control edge protrusion remains elusive. We addressed this question by developing a computational model in which the Brownian ratchet mechanism governs actin filament polymerization against the membrane and the molecular clutch mechanism governs adhesion to the substrate (BR-MC model). Our model predicted that actin polymerization is the most significant driver of protrusion, as actin had a greater effect on protrusion than adhesion assembly. Increasing the lifetime of nascent adhesions also enhanced velocity, but decreased the protrusion's motional persistence, because filaments maintained against the cell edge ceased polymerizing as membrane tension increased. We confirmed the model predictions with measurement of adhesion lifetime and edge motion in migrating cells. Adhesions with longer lifetime were associated with faster protrusion velocity and shorter persistence. Experimentally increasing adhesion lifetime increased velocity but decreased persistence. We propose a mechanism for actin polymerization-driven, adhesion-dependent protrusion in which balanced nascent adhesion assembly and lifetime generates protrusions with the power and persistence to drive migration.

scholarly journals Traction stress in focal adhesions correlates biphasically with actin retrograde flow speed

2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret L. Gardel ◽  
Benedikt Sabass ◽  
Lin Ji ◽  
Gaudenz Danuser ◽  
Ulrich S. Schwarz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Traction Force ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Protein Density ◽  
Traction Stress

How focal adhesions (FAs) convert retrograde filamentous actin (F-actin) flow into traction stress on the extracellular matrix to drive cell migration is unknown. Using combined traction force and fluorescent speckle microscopy, we observed a robust biphasic relationship between F-actin speed and traction force. F-actin speed is inversely related to traction stress near the cell edge where FAs are formed and F-actin motion is rapid. In contrast, larger FAs where the F-actin speed is low are marked by a direct relationship between F-actin speed and traction stress. We found that the biphasic switch is determined by a threshold F-actin speed of 8–10 nm/s, independent of changes in FA protein density, age, stress magnitude, assembly/disassembly status, or subcellular position induced by pleiotropic perturbations to Rho family guanosine triphosphatase signaling and myosin II activity. Thus, F-actin speed is a fundamental regulator of traction force at FAs during cell migration.

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