scholarly journals Generation of contractile actomyosin bundles depends on mechanosensitive actin filament assembly and disassembly

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Tojkander ◽  
Gergana Gateva ◽  
Amjad Husain ◽  
Ramaswamy Krishnan ◽  
Pekka Lappalainen
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Contractile Stress ◽  
Lateral Fusion

Adhesion and morphogenesis of many non-muscle cells are guided by contractile actomyosin bundles called ventral stress fibers. While it is well established that stress fibers are mechanosensitive structures, physical mechanisms by which they assemble, align, and mature have remained elusive. Here we show that arcs, which serve as precursors for ventral stress fibers, undergo lateral fusion during their centripetal flow to form thick actomyosin bundles that apply tension to focal adhesions at their ends. Importantly, this myosin II-derived force inhibits vectorial actin polymerization at focal adhesions through AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of VASP, and thereby halts stress fiber elongation and ensures their proper contractility. Stress fiber maturation additionally requires ADF/cofilin-mediated disassembly of non-contractile stress fibers, whereas contractile fibers are protected from severing. Taken together, these data reveal that myosin-derived tension precisely controls both actin filament assembly and disassembly to ensure generation and proper alignment of contractile stress fibers in migrating cells.

scholarly journals LIMCH1 regulates nonmuscle myosin-II activity and suppresses cell migration

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1054-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hung Lin ◽  
Yen-Yi Zhen ◽  
Kun-Yi Chien ◽  
I-Ching Lee ◽  
Wei-Chi Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber ◽  
Nonmuscle Myosin ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Nonmuscle Myosin Ii

Nonmuscle myosin II (NM-II) is an important motor protein involved in cell migration. Incorporation of NM-II into actin stress fiber provides a traction force to promote actin retrograde flow and focal adhesion assembly. However, the components involved in regulation of NM-II activity are not well understood. Here we identified a novel actin stress fiber–associated protein, LIM and calponin-homology domains 1 (LIMCH1), which regulates NM-II activity. The recruitment of LIMCH1 into contractile stress fibers revealed its localization complementary to actinin-1. LIMCH1 interacted with NM-IIA, but not NM-IIB, independent of the inhibition of myosin ATPase activity with blebbistatin. Moreover, the N-terminus of LIMCH1 binds to the head region of NM-IIA. Depletion of LIMCH1 attenuated myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) diphosphorylation in HeLa cells, which was restored by reexpression of small interfering RNA–resistant LIMCH1. In addition, LIMCH1-depleted HeLa cells exhibited a decrease in the number of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions, leading to enhanced cell migration. Collectively, our data suggest that LIMCH1 plays a positive role in regulation of NM-II activity through effects on MRLC during cell migration.

scholarly journals Force-dependent activation of actin elongation factor mDia1 protects the cytoskeleton from mechanical damage and facilitates stress fiber repair

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando R. Valencia ◽  
Eduardo Sandoval ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Sergey V. Plotnikov
Keyword(s):  
Cell Mechanics ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Safety Valve ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Mechanical Tension ◽  
Contractile Forces

ABSTRACTPlasticity of cell mechanics, which relies heavily on the spatiotemporal regulation of the actomyosin cytoskeleton, safeguards cells against mechanical damage. Yet, mechanisms of adaptive change in cell mechanics remain elusive. Here, we report a new mechanism whereby mechanically activated actin elongation factor mDia1 controls the dynamics of actin polymerization at focal adhesions, force bearing linkages between the actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. By combining live-cell imaging with mathematical modelling, we show that actin polymerization at focal adhesions exhibits pulsatile dynamics where the spikes of mDia1 activity are triggered by cell-generated contractile forces. We show that suppression of mDia1-mediated actin polymerization at focal adhesions results in two-fold increase in mechanical tension on the stress fibers. This elevated tension leads to an increased frequency of spontaneous stress fiber damage and decreased efficiency of zyxin-mediated stress fiber repair. We conclude that tension-controlled actin polymerization at focal adhesions acts as a safety valve dampening excessive mechanical tension on the actin cytoskeleton and safeguarding stress fibers against mechanical damage.SUMMARYValencia et al. reports that stress fiber elongation at focal adhesion requires mDia1 activity, furthermore contractile forces trigger mDia1-dependent actin polymerization. mDia1-mediated actin polymerization acts as a safety valve to dampen mechanical stress and protect the cell from damage.

scholarly journals Muscle specific stress fibers give rise to sarcomeres and are mechanistically distinct from stress fibers in non-muscle cells

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan M. Feinx ◽  
Nilay Taneja ◽  
Abigail C. Neininger ◽  
Mike R. Visetsouk ◽  
Benjamin R. Nixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Myosin Filament ◽  
Human Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Fiber Assembly ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Sarcomere Assembly

AbstractThe sarcomere is the basic contractile unit within cardiomyocytes driving heart muscle contraction. We sought to test the mechanisms regulating thin (i.e., actin) and thick (i.e., myosin) filament assembly during sarcomere formation. Thus, we developed an assay using human cardiomyocytes to test de novo sarcomere assembly. Using this assay, we report a population of muscle-specific stress fibers are essential sarcomere precursors. We show sarcomeric actin filaments arise directly from these muscle stress fibers. This process requires formin-mediated but not Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization and nonmuscle myosin IIB but not non-muscle myosin IIA. Furthermore, we show a short species of β cardiac myosin II filaments grows to form ~1.5 long filaments that then “stitch” together to form the stack of filaments at the core of the sarcomere (i.e., A-band). Interestingly, these are different from mechanisms that have previously been reported during stress fiber assembly in non-muscle cells. Thus, we provide a new model of cardiac sarcomere assembly based on distinct mechanisms of stress fiber regulation between non-muscle and muscle cells.

scholarly journals Biomechanical regulation of focal adhesion and invadopodia formation

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (20) ◽  
pp. jcs244848
Author(s):  
Or-Yam Revach ◽  
Inna Grosheva ◽  
Benjamin Geiger
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
Contractile Stress ◽  
Functionally Diverse ◽  
Invadopodia Formation

ABSTRACTIntegrin adhesions are a structurally and functionally diverse family of transmembrane, multi-protein complexes that link the intracellular cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix (ECM). The different members of this family, including focal adhesions (FAs), focal complexes, fibrillar adhesions, podosomes and invadopodia, contain many shared scaffolding and signaling ‘adhesome’ components, as well as distinct molecules that perform specific functions, unique to each adhesion form. In this Hypothesis, we address the pivotal roles of mechanical forces, generated by local actin polymerization or actomyosin-based contractility, in the formation, maturation and functionality of two members of the integrin adhesions family, namely FAs and invadopodia, which display distinct structures and functional properties. FAs are robust and stable ECM contacts, associated with contractile stress fibers, while invadopodia are invasive adhesions that degrade the underlying matrix and penetrate into it. We discuss here the mechanisms, whereby these two types of adhesion utilize a similar molecular machinery to drive very different – often opposing cellular activities, and hypothesize that early stages of FAs and invadopodia assembly use similar biomechanical principles, whereas maturation of the two structures, and their ‘adhesive’ and ‘invasive’ functionalities require distinct sources of biomechanical reinforcement.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between myosin II and formin functions in the regulation of force generation and actomyosin dynamics in stress fibers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukako Nishimura ◽  
Shidong Shi ◽  
Qingsen Li ◽  
Alexander D. Bershadsky ◽  
Virgile Viasnoff
Keyword(s):  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Traction Force ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Force Generation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Fiber Dynamics ◽  
The Relationship

REF52 fibroblasts have a well-developed contractile machinery, the most prominent elements of which are actomyosin stress fibers with highly ordered organization of actin and myosin IIA filaments. The relationship between contractile activity and turnover dynamics of stress fibers is not sufficiently understood. Here, we simultaneously measured the forces exerted by stress fibers (using traction force microscopy or micropillar array sensors) and the dynamics of actin and myosin (using photoconversion-based monitoring of actin incorporation and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of myosin II light chain). Our data revealed new features of the crosstalk between myosin II-driven contractility and stress fiber dynamics. During normal stress fiber turnover, actin incorporated all along the stress fibers and not only at focal adhesions. Incorporation of actin into stress fibers/focal adhesions, as well as actin and myosin II filaments flow along stress fibers, strongly depends on myosin II activity. Myosin II-dependent generation of traction forces does not depend on incorporation of actin into stress fibers per se, but still requires formin activity. This previously overlooked function of formins in maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton connectivity could be the main mechanism of formin involvement in traction force generation.

scholarly journals Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Lee ◽  
Sanjay Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Myosin Isoforms ◽  
Matrix Mechanics ◽  
Tensile Forces ◽  
Muscle Myosin

Mechanotransduction is the process through which cells survey the mechanical properties of their environment, convert these mechanical inputs into biochemical signals, and modulate their phenotype in response. These mechanical inputs, which may be encoded in the form of extracellular matrix stiffness, dimensionality, and adhesion, all strongly influence cell morphology, migration, and fate decisions. One mechanism through which cells on planar or pseudo-planar matrices exert tensile forces and interrogate microenvironmental mechanics is through stress fibers, which are bundles composed of actin filaments and, in most cases, non-muscle myosin II filaments. Stress fibers form a continuous structural network that is mechanically coupled to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions. Furthermore, myosin-driven contractility plays a central role in the ability of stress fibers to sense matrix mechanics and generate tension. Here, we review the distinct roles that non-muscle myosin II plays in driving mechanosensing and focus specifically on motility. In a closely related discussion, we also describe stress fiber classification schemes and the differing roles of various myosin isoforms in each category. Finally, we briefly highlight recent studies exploring mechanosensing in three-dimensional environments, in which matrix content, structure, and mechanics are often tightly interrelated. Stress fibers and the myosin motors therein represent an intriguing and functionally important biological system in which mechanics, biochemistry, and architecture all converge.

scholarly journals Calcium-Sensing Receptor Stimulation in Cultured Glomerular Podocytes Induces TRPC6-Dependent Calcium Entry and RhoA Activation

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1777-1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Tianrong Ji ◽  
Qin Wang ◽  
Kexin Meng ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Action ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Calcium Sensing Receptor ◽  
Rhoa Activity ◽  
Rhoa Activation ◽  
Calcium Sensing

Background/Aims: Recent studies provided compelling evidence that stimulation of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) exerts direct renoprotective action at the glomerular podocyte level. This protective action may be attributed to the RhoA-dependent stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, an immortalized human podocyte cell line was used. Fluo-3 fluorescence was utilized to determine intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and western blotting was used to measure canonical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) protein expression and RhoA activity. Stress fibers were detected by FITC-phalloidin. Results: Activating CaSR with a high extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) or R-568 (a type II CaSR agonist) induces an increase in the [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. This increase in [Ca2+]i is phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent and is smaller in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ than in the presence of 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o. The CaSR activation-induced [Ca2+]i increase is attenuated by the pharmacological blockage of TRPC6 channels or siRNA targeting TRPC6. These data suggest that TRPC6 is involved in CaSR activation-induced Ca2+ influx. Consistent with a previous study, CaSR stimulation results in an increase in RhoA activity. However, the knockdown of TRPC6 significantly abolished the RhoA activity increase induced by CaSR stimulation, suggesting that TRPC6-dependent Ca2+ entry is required for RhoA activation. The activated RhoA is involved in the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions in response to CaSR stimulation because siRNA targeting RhoA attenuated the increase in the stress fiber mediated by CaSR stimulation. Moreover, this effect of CaSR activation on the formation of stress fibers is also abolished by the knockdown of TRPC6. Conclusion: TRPC6 is involved in the regulation of stress fiber formation and focal adhesions via the RhoA pathway in response to CaSR activation. This may explain the direct protective action of CaSR agonists.

scholarly journals Specification of Actin Filament Function and Molecular Composition by Tropomyosin Isoforms

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1002-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole S. Bryce ◽  
Galina Schevzov ◽  
Vicki Ferguson ◽  
Justin M. Percival ◽  
Jim J.-C. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Molecular Composition ◽  
Cellular Migration ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Human Homologue ◽  
Tropomyosin Isoforms

The specific functions of greater than 40 vertebrate nonmuscle tropomyosins (Tms) are poorly understood. In this article we have tested the ability of two Tm isoforms, TmBr3 and the human homologue of Tm5 (hTM5NM1), to regulate actin filament function. We found that these Tms can differentially alter actin filament organization, cell size, and shape. hTm5NM1was able to recruit myosin II into stress fibers, which resulted in decreased lamellipodia and cellular migration. In contrast, TmBr3 transfection induced lamellipodial formation, increased cellular migration, and reduced stress fibers. Based on coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization studies, TmBr3 appeared to be associated with actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin (ADF)-bound actin filaments. Additionally, the Tms can specifically regulate the incorporation of other Tms into actin filaments, suggesting that selective dimerization may also be involved in the control of actin filament organization. We conclude that Tm isoforms can be used to specify the functional properties and molecular composition of actin filaments and that spatial segregation of isoforms may lead to localized specialization of actin filament function.

Indomethacin Delays Gastric Restitution: Association with the Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase and Tensin Phosphorylation and Reduced Actin Stress Fibers

2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (6) ◽  
pp. 412-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre L. Szabó ◽  
Rama Pai ◽  
Michael K. Jones ◽  
George R. Ehring ◽  
Hirofumi Kawanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fiber Formation ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber Formation

Repair of superficial gastric mucosal injury is accomplished by the process of restitution—migration of epithelial cells to restore continuity of the mucosal surface. Actin filaments, focal adhesions, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) play crucial roles in cell motility essential for restitution. We studied whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) and/or indomethacin (IND) affect cell migration, actin stress fiber formation, and/or phosphorylation of FAK and tensin in wounded gastric monolayers. Human gastric epithelial monolayers (MKN 28 cells) were wounded and treated with either vehicle or 0.5 mM IND for 16 hr followed by EGF. EGF treatment significantly stimulated cell migration and actin stress fiber formation, and increased FAK localization to focal adhesions, and phosphorylation of FAK and tensin, whereas IND inhibited all these at the baseline and EGF-stimulated conditions. IND-induced inhibition of FAK phosphorylation preceded changes in actin polymerization, indicating that actin depolymerization might be the consequence of decreased FAK activity. In in vivo experiments, rats received either vehicle or IND (5 mg/kg i.g.), and 3 min later, they received water or 5% hypertonic NaCl; gastric mucosa was obtained at 1, 4, and 8 hr after injury. Four and 8 hr after hypertonic injury, FAK phosphorylation was induced in gastric mucosa compared with controls. IND pretreatment significantly delayed epithelial restitution in vivo, and reduced FAK phosphorylation and recruitment to adhesion points, as well as actin stress fiber formation in migrating surface epithelial cells. Our study indicates that FAK, tensin, and actin stress fibers are likely mediators of EGF-stimulated cell migration in wounded human gastric monolayers and potential targets for IND-induced inhibition of restitution.

scholarly journals Platelet-activating factor both stimulates and "primes" human polymorphonuclear leukocyte actin filament assembly

Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1921-1927 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Shalit ◽  
GA Dabiri ◽  
FS Southwick
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Leukotriene B4 ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Optimal Concentration ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Filament Assembly

Abstract The phospholipid inflammatory mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF), can stimulate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. Conversion of cytoplasmic actin from monomers to filaments is associated with PMN motile functions. Using the fluorescent actin filament stain nitrobenzodiaxole phallicidin, we have investigated PAF's effects on human PMN actin polymerization. Concentrations of PAF between 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/L induced actin filament (F- actin) assembly. An optimal concentration of PAF (1–5 x 10(-8) mol/L) induced a significantly lower rise in relative F-actin content (1.72 +/- 0.07 SEM) than an optimal concentration (5 x 10(-7) mol/L) of the chemotactic peptide FMLP (2.21 +/- 0.06). Unlike FMLP (F-actin content: 1.25 +/- 0.04 at five seconds), PAF stimulation was associated with a delay of more than five seconds (1.04 +/- 0.01 at five seconds) before an increase in F-actin could be detected. F-actin concentration reached maximum levels by 30 to 60 seconds. Prolonged stimulation (20 minutes) with PAF was associated with two phases of polymerization and depolymerization. Like FMLP, the initiation of actin filament assembly by PAF required receptor occupancy, this reaction being totally blocked by the PAF receptor inhibitor, SKI 63–441. As evidenced by the lack of inhibition by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (5 to 20 mumol/L), the production of leukotriene B4 was not required for the PAF-induced changes in F-actin. Like FMLP, PAF's ability to stimulate PMN actin polymerization was inhibited by pertussis toxin (.05 to 2.5 micrograms/mL) but not impaired by the addition of EGTA and/or the calcium ionophore A23187. Preincubation with 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-8) mol/L PAF for 2 to 60 minutes enhanced the rise in F-actin content induced by low concentrations of FMLP (5 x 10(-12) to 1 x 10(-10) mol/L) indicating that this phospholipid was capable of “priming” the PMN actin polymerization response.

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