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Weißenbruch K, Mayor R. Actomyosin forces in cell migration: Moving beyond cell body retraction. Bioessays 2024:e2400055. [PMID: 39093597 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
In textbook illustrations of migrating cells, actomyosin contractility is typically depicted as the contraction force necessary for cell body retraction. This dogma has been transformed by the molecular clutch model, which acknowledges that actomyosin traction forces also generate and transmit biomechanical signals at the leading edge, enabling cells to sense and shape their migratory path in mechanically complex environments. To fulfill these complementary functions, the actomyosin system assembles a gradient of contractile energy along the front-rear axis of migratory cells. Here, we highlight the hierarchic assembly and self-regulatory network structure of the actomyosin system and explain how the kinetics of different nonmuscle myosin II (NM II) paralogs synergize during contractile force generation. Our aim is to emphasize how protrusion formation, cell adhesion, contraction, and retraction are spatiotemporally integrated during different modes of migration, including chemotaxis and durotaxis. Finally, we hypothesize how different NM II paralogs might tune aspects of migration in vivo, highlighting future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Weißenbruch
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Gou Z, Zhang D, Cao H, Li Y, Li Y, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhou H. Exploring the nexus between MYH9 and tumors: novel insights and new therapeutic opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1421763. [PMID: 39149512 PMCID: PMC11325155 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1421763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene, located on human chromosome 22, encodes non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NM IIA). This protein is essential to various cellular events, such as generating intracellular chemomechanical force and facilitating the movement of the actin cytoskeleton. Mutations associated with thrombocytopenia in autosomal dominant diseases first highlighted the significance of the MYH9 gene. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the pivotal roles of MYH9 in various cancers. However, its effects on cancer are intricate and not fully comprehended. Furthermore, the elevated expression of MYH9 in certain malignancies suggests its potential as a target for tumor therapy. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of literature summarizing MYH9's role in tumors and the therapeutic strategies centered on it, necessitating a systematic analysis. This paper comprehensively reviews and analyzes the pertinent literature in this domain, elucidating the fundamental structural characteristics, biological functions, and the nexus between MYH9 and tumors. The mechanisms through which MYH9 contributes to tumor development and its multifaceted roles in the tumorigenic process are also explored. Additionally, we discuss the relationship between MYH9-related diseases (MYH9-RD) and tumors and also summarize tumor therapeutic approaches targeting MYH9. The potential clinical applications of studying the MYH9 gene include improving early diagnosis, clinical staging, and prognosis of tumors. This paper is anticipated to provide novel insights for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Gou
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Difei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongliang Cao
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yao Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yunkuo Li
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zijian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Chinthalapudi K, Heissler SM. Structure, regulation, and mechanisms of nonmuscle myosin-2. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:263. [PMID: 38878079 PMCID: PMC11335295 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Members of the myosin superfamily of molecular motors are large mechanochemical ATPases that are implicated in an ever-expanding array of cellular functions. This review focuses on mammalian nonmuscle myosin-2 (NM2) paralogs, ubiquitous members of the myosin-2 family of filament-forming motors. Through the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical work, NM2 paralogs remodel and shape cells and tissues. This process is tightly controlled in time and space by numerous synergetic regulation mechanisms to meet cellular demands. We review how recent advances in structural biology together with elegant biophysical and cell biological approaches have contributed to our understanding of the shared and unique mechanisms of NM2 paralogs as they relate to their kinetics, regulation, assembly, and cellular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Chinthalapudi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Sarah M Heissler
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Chou WH, Molaei M, Wu H, Oakes PW, Beach JR, Gardel ML. Limiting pool and actin architecture controls myosin cluster sizes in adherent cells. Biophys J 2024; 123:157-171. [PMID: 38062704 PMCID: PMC10808045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The actomyosin cytoskeleton generates mechanical forces that power important cellular processes, such as cell migration, cell division, and mechanosensing. Actomyosin self-assembles into contractile networks and bundles that underlie force generation and transmission in cells. A central step is the assembly of the myosin II filament from myosin monomers, regulation of which has been extensively studied. However, myosin filaments are almost always found as clusters within the cell cortex. While recent studies characterized cluster nucleation dynamics at the cell periphery, how myosin clusters grow on stress fibers remains poorly characterized. Here, we utilize a U2OS osteosarcoma cell line with endogenously tagged myosin II to measure the myosin cluster size distribution in the lamella of adherent cells. We find that myosin clusters can grow with Rho-kinase (ROCK) activity alone in the absence of myosin motor activity. Time-lapse imaging reveals that myosin clusters grow via increased myosin association to existing clusters, which is potentiated by ROCK-dependent myosin filament assembly. Enabling myosin motor activity allows further myosin cluster growth through myosin association that is dependent on F-actin architecture. Using a toy model, we show that myosin self-affinity is sufficient to recapitulate the experimentally observed myosin cluster size distribution, and that myosin cluster sizes are determined by the pool of myosin available for cluster growth. Together, our findings provide new insights into the regulation of myosin cluster sizes within the lamellar actomyosin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hung Chou
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Institute of Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mehdi Molaei
- Institute of Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Huini Wu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patrick W Oakes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jordan R Beach
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Margaret L Gardel
- Institute of Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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Schwarz US, Vicente-Manzanares M. Editorial - Cell mechanics and mechanobiology. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151304. [PMID: 36907743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich S Schwarz
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Philosophenweg 19, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miguel Vicente-Manzanares
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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Chou WH, Molaei M, Wu H, Oakes PW, Beach JR, Gardel ML. Limiting Pool and Actin Architecture Controls Myosin Cluster Sizes in Adherent Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544121. [PMID: 37333106 PMCID: PMC10274763 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The actomyosin cytoskeleton generates mechanical forces that power important cellular processes, such as cell migration, cell division, and mechanosensing. Actomyosin self-assembles into contractile networks and bundles that underlie force generation and transmission in cells. A central step is the assembly of the myosin II filament from myosin monomers, regulation of which has been extensively studied. However, myosin filaments are almost always found as clusters within the cell cortex. While recent studies characterized cluster nucleation dynamics at the cell periphery, how myosin clusters grow on stress fibers remains poorly characterized. Here, we utilize a U2OS osteosarcoma cell line with endogenously tagged myosin II to measure the myosin cluster size distribution in the lamella of adherent cells. We find that myosin clusters can grow with Rho-kinase (ROCK) activity alone in the absence of myosin motor activity. Time-lapse imaging reveals that myosin clusters grow via increased myosin association to existing clusters, which is potentiated by ROCK-dependent myosin filament assembly. Enabling myosin motor activity allows further myosin cluster growth through myosin association that is dependent on F-actin architecture. Using a toy model, we show that myosin self-affinity is sufficient to recapitulate the experimentally observed myosin cluster size distribution, and that myosin cluster sizes are determined by the pool of myosin available for cluster growth. Together, our findings provide new insights into the regulation of myosin cluster sizes within the lamellar actomyosin cytoskeleton.
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