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Bai Y, Zhao F, Wu T, Chen F, Pang X. Actin polymerization and depolymerization in developing vertebrates. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1213668. [PMID: 37745245 PMCID: PMC10515290 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Development is a complex process that occurs throughout the life cycle. F-actin, a major component of the cytoskeleton, is essential for the morphogenesis of tissues and organs during development. F-actin is formed by the polymerization of G-actin, and the dynamic balance of polymerization and depolymerization ensures proper cellular function. Disruption of this balance results in various abnormalities and defects or even embryonic lethality. Here, we reviewed recent findings on the structure of G-actin and F-actin and the polymerization of G-actin to F-actin. We also focused on the functions of actin isoforms and the underlying mechanisms of actin polymerization/depolymerization in cellular and organic morphogenesis during development. This information will extend our understanding of the role of actin polymerization in the physiologic or pathologic processes during development and may open new avenues for developing therapeutics for embryonic developmental abnormalities or tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Bai
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangchun Chen
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Pang
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
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Vilchez Mercedes SA, Bocci F, Levine H, Onuchic JN, Jolly MK, Wong PK. Decoding leader cells in collective cancer invasion. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:592-604. [PMID: 34239104 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00376-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Collective cancer invasion with leader-follower organization is increasingly recognized as a predominant mechanism in the metastatic cascade. Leader cells support cancer invasion by creating invasion tracks, sensing environmental cues and coordinating with follower cells biochemically and biomechanically. With the latest developments in experimental and computational models and analysis techniques, the range of specific traits and features of leader cells reported in the literature is rapidly expanding. Yet, despite their importance, there is no consensus on how leader cells arise or their essential characteristics. In this Perspective, we propose a framework for defining the essential aspects of leader cells and provide a unifying perspective on the varying cellular and molecular programmes that are adopted by each leader cell subtype to accomplish their functions. This Perspective can lead to more effective strategies to interdict a major contributor to metastatic capability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Department of Physics, and Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry and Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
| | - Pak Kin Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Bocci F, Mandal S, Tejaswi T, Jolly MK. Investigating epithelial‐mesenchymal heterogeneity of tumors and circulating tumor cells with transcriptomic analysis and biophysical modeling. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics Rice University Houston Texas USA
- NSF‐Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research University of California Irvine California USA
| | - Susmita Mandal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering Indian Institute of Science Bangalore Karnataka India
| | - Tanishq Tejaswi
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering Indian Institute of Science Bangalore Karnataka India
- UG Programme Indian Institute of Science Bangalore Karnataka India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering Indian Institute of Science Bangalore Karnataka India
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DiNapoli KT, Robinson DN, Iglesias PA. Tools for computational analysis of moving boundary problems in cellular mechanobiology. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 13:e1514. [PMID: 33305503 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A cell's ability to change shape is one of the most fundamental biological processes and is essential for maintaining healthy organisms. When the ability to control shape goes awry, it often results in a diseased system. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms that allow a cell to sense and respond to its environment so as to maintain cellular shape homeostasis. Because of the inherent complexity of the system, computational models that are based on sound theoretical understanding of the biochemistry and biomechanics and that use experimentally measured parameters are an essential tool. These models involve an inherent feedback, whereby shape is determined by the action of regulatory signals whose spatial distribution depends on the shape. To carry out computational simulations of these moving boundary problems requires special computational techniques. A variety of alternative approaches, depending on the type and scale of question being asked, have been used to simulate various biological processes, including cell motility, division, mechanosensation, and cell engulfment. In general, these models consider the forces that act on the system (both internally generated, or externally imposed) and the mechanical properties of the cell that resist these forces. Moving forward, making these techniques more accessible to the non-expert will help improve interdisciplinary research thereby providing new insight into important biological processes that affect human health. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Cancer>Computational Models Cancer > Cancer>Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen T DiNapoli
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Douglas N Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pablo A Iglesias
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Buttenschön A, Edelstein-Keshet L. Bridging from single to collective cell migration: A review of models and links to experiments. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008411. [PMID: 33301528 PMCID: PMC7728230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mathematical and computational models can assist in gaining an understanding of cell behavior at many levels of organization. Here, we review models in the literature that focus on eukaryotic cell motility at 3 size scales: intracellular signaling that regulates cell shape and movement, single cell motility, and collective cell behavior from a few cells to tissues. We survey recent literature to summarize distinct computational methods (phase-field, polygonal, Cellular Potts, and spherical cells). We discuss models that bridge between levels of organization, and describe levels of detail, both biochemical and geometric, included in the models. We also highlight links between models and experiments. We find that models that span the 3 levels are still in the minority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Buttenschön
- Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Bhatia S, Wang P, Toh A, Thompson EW. New Insights Into the Role of Phenotypic Plasticity and EMT in Driving Cancer Progression. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:71. [PMID: 32391381 PMCID: PMC7190792 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells demonstrate substantial plasticity in their genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) can be characterized into dynamic intermediate states and can be orchestrated by many factors, either intercellularly via epigenetic reprograming, or extracellularly via growth factors, inflammation and/or hypoxia generated by the tumor stromal microenvironment. EMP has the capability to alter phenotype and produce heterogeneity, and thus by changing the whole cancer landscape can attenuate oncogenic signaling networks, invoke anti-apoptotic features, defend against chemotherapeutics and reprogram angiogenic and immune recognition functions. We discuss here the role of phenotypic plasticity in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis and provide an update of the modalities utilized for the molecular characterization of the EMT states and attributes of cellular behavior, including cellular metabolism, in the context of EMP. We also summarize recent findings in dynamic EMP studies that provide new insights into the phenotypic plasticity of EMP flux in cancer and propose therapeutic strategies to impede the metastatic outgrowth of phenotypically heterogeneous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Bhatia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peiyu Wang
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alan Toh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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