The anti-proliferative agent jasplakinolide rearranges the actin cytoskeleton of plant cells

Contractile apparatus in CNS capillary pericytes

Significance: Whether or not capillary pericytes contribute to blood flow regulation in the brain and retina has long been debated. This was partly caused by failure of detecting the contractile protein α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA) in capillary pericytes. Aim: The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in detecting α -SMA and contractility in capillary pericytes and the relevant literature on the biology of actin filaments. Results: Evidence suggests that for visualization of the small amounts of α -SMA in downstream mid-capillary pericytes, actin depolymerization must be prevented during tissue processing. Actin filaments turnover is mainly based on de/re-polymerization rather than transcription of the monomeric form, hence, small amounts of α -SMA mRNA may evade detection by transcriptomic studies. Similarly, transgenic mice expressing fluorescent reporters under the α -SMA promoter may yield low fluorescence due to limited transcriptional activity in mid-capillary pericytes. Recent studies show that pericytes including mid-capillary ones express several actin isoforms and myosin heavy chain type 11, the partner of α -SMA in mediating contraction. Emerging evidence also suggests that actin polymerization in pericytes may have a role in regulating the tone of downstream capillaries. Conclusions: With guidance of actin biology, innovative labeling and imaging techniques can reveal the molecular machinery of contraction in pericytes.

Actin-Dynamics in Plant Cells: The Function of Actin-Perturbing Substances: Jasplakinolide, Chondramides, Phalloidin, Cytochalasins, and Latrunculins

This chapter gives an overview of the most common F-actin-perturbing substances that are used to study actin dynamics in living plant cells in studies on morphogenesis, motility, organelle movement, or when apoptosis has to be induced. These substances can be divided into two major subclasses: F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing substances like jasplakinolide and chondramides and F-actin-severing compounds like chytochalasins and latrunculins. Jasplakinolide was originally isolated form a marine sponge, and can now be synthesized and has become commercially available, which is responsible for its wide distribution as membrane-permeable F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing agent, which may even have anticancer activities. Cytochalasins, derived from fungi, show an F-actin-severing function and many derivatives are commercially available (A, B, C, D, E, H, J), also making it a widely used compound for F-actin disruption. The same can be stated for latrunculins (A, B), derived from red sea sponges; however the mode of action is different by binding to G-actin and inhibiting incorporation into the filament. In the case of swinholide a stable complex with actin dimers is formed resulting also in severing of F-actin. For influencing F-actin dynamics in plant cells only membrane permeable drugs are useful in a broad range. We however introduce also the phallotoxins and synthetic derivatives, as they are widely used to visualize F-actin in fixed cells. A particular uptake mechanism has been shown for hepatocytes, but has also been described in siphonal giant algae. In the present chapter the focus is set on F-actin dynamics in plant cells where alterations in cytoplasmic streaming can be particularly well studied; however methods by fluorescence applications including phalloidin and antibody staining as well as immunofluorescence-localization of the inhibitor drugs are given.

Actin stabilization induces apoptosis in cultured porcine epithelial cell rests of Malassez

AIM

To test whether actin stabilization by jasplakinolide induces inhibition of cell viability and apoptosis in epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM).

METHODOLOGY

ERM derived from porcine were spread in a 96-well dish (5 × 10(4) /well) using Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The actin-specific stabilization reagent, jasplakinolide, was incorporated into the culture medium and incubated for 24 h. To evaluate cell viability, the WST-1 assay was carried out and absorption (450 nm) was measured. To detect apoptotic cells, monoclonal antibody to single-strand DNA (ssDNA) was used and absorption (405 nm) was measured. Actin stabilization and apoptosis induced by jasplakinolide were morphologically investigated by staining with Alexa Fluor 568 phalloidin and observed under a fluorescent microscope. As a negative control, DMSO was used instead of jasplakinolide. Differences between the jasplakinolide-treated group and the control group were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Cell viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, and cell viability in the jasplakinolide-treated ERM was lower than that in nontreated ERM (n = 16, P < 0.01). Apoptotic cells in the jasplakinolide-treated ERM were more frequently detected compared to that in nontreated ERM (n = 16, P < 0.01). Morphologically, shrinkage, irregular forms and fragmentation of nuclei suggesting apoptotic bodies were observed in jasplakinolide-treated ERM, whilst actin filaments were extended in non-treated ERM.

CONCLUSION

Actin stabilization by jasplakinolide inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in epithelial cell rests of Malassez.

Immunosuppressive peptides and their therapeutic applications

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T cell signaling has a pivotal role in autoimmunity and immunosuppression.

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Immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals often exhibit severe side-effects in patients.

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Gene-encoded peptides have potential as immunosuppressive drug candidates.

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Cyclotides are stable peptides that offer enhanced oral administration properties.

The immune system is vital for detecting and evading endogenous and exogenous threats to the body. Failure to regulate this homeostasis leads to autoimmunity, which is often associated with malfunctioning T cell signaling. Several medications are available to suppress over-reactive T lymphocytes, but many of the currently marketed drugs produce severe and life-threatening side-effects. Ribosomally synthesized peptides are gaining recognition from the pharmaceutical industry for their enhanced selectivity and decreased toxicity compared with small molecules; in particular, circular peptides exhibit remarkable stability and increased oral administration properties. For example, plant cyclotides effectively inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation. They are composed of a head-to-tail cyclized backbone and a cystine-knot motif, which confers them with remarkable stability, thus making them attractive pharmaceutical tools.

Prieurianin/endosidin 1 is an actin-stabilizing small molecule identified from a chemical genetic screen for circadian clock effectors in Arabidopsis thaliana

Chemical modulators are powerful tools to investigate biological processes. To identify circadian clock effectors, we screened a natural product library in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Two compounds, prieurianin (Pri) and prieurianin acetate, were identified as causing a shorter circadian period. Recently, Pri was independently identified as a vesicle trafficking inhibitor and re-named endosidin 1 (ES1). Here we show that Pri primarily affects actin filament flexibility in vivo, later resulting in reduced severing and filament depolymerization. This stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton subsequently causes changes in vesicle trafficking. Pri also affected microfilaments in mammalian cells, indicating that its target is highly conserved; however, it did not alter actin dynamics in vitro, suggesting that its activity requires the presence of actin-associated proteins. Furthermore, well-characterized actin inhibitors shortened the period length of the Arabidopsis clock in a similar way to Pri, supporting the idea that Pri affects rhythms by altering the actin network. We conclude that actin-associated processes influence the circadian system in a light-dependent manner, but their disruption does not abolish rhythmicity. In summary, we propose that the primary effect of Pri is to stabilize the actin cytoskeleton system, thereby affecting endosome trafficking. Pri appears to stabilize actin filaments by a different mechanism from previously described inhibitors, and will be a useful tool to study actin-related cellular processes.

Jasplakinolide: an actin-specific reagent that promotes actin polymerization

Jasplakinolide, a cyclo-depsipeptide is a commonly used actin filament polymerizing and stabilizing drug. The substance has originally been isolated from a marine sponge, and can now be synthesized and has become commercially available. This, together with the benefit that jasplakinolide is membrane permeable has made it a commonly used tool in cell biology, when actin filament stabilization or polymerization has to be achieved. This may either be the case in studies on morphogenesis, motility, organelle movement, or when apoptosis has to be induced. Its use as a potent anticancer drug is discussed. The direct action on actin filaments may have further consequences in golgi body and membrane raft protein organization. In this chapter, the visualization of jasplaklinolide effects by different fluorescent and transmission electron microscopic methods is described. As competitive binding capacities of jasplakinolide and phalloidin make the detection of actin filaments by fluorescently labeled phalloidin problematic, alternatives are given here.

Microtubule-dependent motility and orientation of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum in elongating characean internodal cells

Motility of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is predominantly microtubule- dependent in animal cells but thought to be entirely actomyosin-dependent in plant cells. Using live cell imaging and transmission electron microscopy to examine ER motility and structural organization in giant internodal cells of characean algae, we discovered that at the onset of cell elongation, the cortical ER situated near the plasma membrane formed a tight meshwork of predominantly transverse ER tubules that frequently coaligned with microtubules. Microtubule depolymerization increased mesh size and decreased the dynamics of the cortical ER. In contrast, perturbing the cortical actin array with cytochalasins did not affect the transverse orientation but decreased mesh size and increased ER dynamics. Our data suggest that myosin-dependent ER motility is confined to the ER strands in the streaming endoplasm, while the more sedate cortical ER uses microtubule-based mechanisms for organization and motility during early stages of cell elongation. We show further that the ER has an inherent, NEM-sensitive dynamics which can be altered via interaction with the cytoskeleton and that tubule formation and fusion events are cytoskeleton-independent.

Morphogenesis in giant-celled algae

The giant-celled algae, which consist of cells reaching millimeters in size, some even centimeters, exhibit unique cell architecture and physiological characteristics. Their cells display a variety of morphogenetic phenomena, that is, growth, division, differentiation, and reproductive cell formation, as well as wound-healing responses. Studies using immunofluorescence microscopy and pharmacological approaches have shown that microtubules and/or actin filaments are involved in many of these events through the generation of intracellular movement of cell components or entire protoplasmic contents and the spatial control of cell activities in specific areas of the giant cells. A number of environmental factors including physical stimuli, such as light and gravity, invoke localized but also generalized cellular reactions. These have been extensively investigated to understand the regulation of morphogenesis, in particular addressing cytoskeletal and endomembrane dynamics, electrophysiological elements affecting ion fluxes, and the synthesis and mechanical properties of the cell wall. Some of the regulatory pathways involve signal transduction and hormonal control, as in other organisms. The giant unicellular green alga Acetabularia, which has proven its usefulness as an experimental model in early amputation/grafting experiments, will potentially once again serve as a useful model organism for studying the role of gene expression in orchestrating cellular morphogenesis.

Wide-ranging effects of eight cytochalasins and latrunculin A and B on intracellular motility and actin filament reorganization in characean internodal cells

Numerous forms of cytochalasins have been identified and, although they share common biological activity, they may differ considerably in potency. We investigated the effects of cytochalasins A, B, C, D, E, H and J and dihydrocytochalasin B in an ideal experimental system for cell motility, the giant internodal cells of the characean alga Nitella pseudoflabellata. Cytochalasins D (60 microM) and H (30 microM) were found to be most suited for fast and reversible inhibition of actin-based motility, while cytochalasins A and E arrested streaming at lower concentrations but irreversibly. We observed no clear correlation between the ability of cytochalasins to inhibit motility and the actual disruption of the subcortical actin bundle tracks on which myosin-dependent motility occurs. Indeed, the actin bundles remained intact at the time of streaming cessation and disassembled only after one to several days' treatment. Even when applied at concentrations lower than that required to inhibit cytoplasmic streaming, all of the cytochalasins induced reorganization of the more labile cortical actin filaments into actin patches, swirling clusters or short rods. Latrunculins A and B arrested streaming only after disrupting the subcortical actin bundles, a process requiring relatively high concentrations (200 microM) and very long treatment periods of >1 d. Latrunculins, however, worked synergistically with cytochalasins. A 1 h treatment with 15 nM latrunculin A and 4 microM cytochalasin D induced reversible fragmentation of subcortical actin bundles and arrested cytoplasmic streaming. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which cytochalasins and latrunculins interfere with characean actin to inhibit motility.

Signalling mechanisms in the regulation of vacuolar ion release in guard cells

Pharmacological agents were used to investigate the possible involvement of actin in signalling chains associated with abscisic acid (ABA)-induced ion release from the guard cell vacuole, a process which is absolutely essential for stomatal closure. Effects on the ABA-induced transient stimulation of tonoplast efflux were measured, using (86)Rb in isolated guard cells of Commelina communis, together with effects on stomatal apertures. In the response to 10 microm ABA (triggered by Ca(2+) influx rather than internal Ca(2+) release), jasplakinolide (stabilizing actin filaments) and latrunculin B (depolymerizing actin filaments) had opposite effects. Both closure and the vacuolar efflux transient were inhibited by jasplakinolide but enhanced by latrunculin B. At 10 microm ABA prevention of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation by PD98059 partially inhibited closure and reduced the efflux transient. By contrast, latrunculin B inhibited the efflux transient at 0.1 microm ABA (involving internal Ca(2+) release rather than Ca(2+) influx). The results suggest that 10 microm ABA activates Ca(2+)-dependent vacuolar ion efflux via a Ca(2+)-permeable influx channel which is maintained closed by interaction with F-actin. A MAP kinase is also involved, in a chain similar to that postulated for Ca(2+)-dependent gene expression in cold acclimation.

Actin polymerization promotes the reversal of streaming in the apex of pollen tubes

Actin polymerization is important in the control of pollen tube growth. Thus, treatment of pollen tubes with low concentrations of latrunculin B (Lat-B), which inhibits actin polymerization, permits streaming but reversibly blocks oscillatory growth. In the current study, we employ Jasplakinolide (Jas), a sponge cyclodepsipeptide that stabilizes actin microfilaments and promotes polymerization. Uniquely, Jas (2 microM) blocks streaming in the shank of the tube, but induces the formation of a toroidal-shaped domain in the swollen apex, of which longitudinal optical sections exhibit circles of motion. The polarity of this rotary motion is identical to that of reverse fountain motility in control pollen tubes, with the forward direction occurring at the edge of the cell and the rearward direction in the cell interior. Support for the idea that actin polymerization in the apical domain contributes to the formation of this rotary motility activity derives from the appearance therein of aggregates and flared cables of F-actin, using immunofluorescence, and by the reduction in G-actin as indicated with fluorescent DNAse. In addition, Jas reduces the tip-focused Ca2+ gradient. However, the alkaline band appears in the swollen apex and is spatially localized with the reverse fountain streaming activity. Taken together, our results support the idea that actin polymerization promotes reversal of streaming in the apex of the lily pollen tube.

GFP-FABD2 fusion construct allows in vivo visualization of the dynamic actin cytoskeleton in all cells of Arabidopsis seedlings

In vivo visualization of filamentous actin in all cells of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings is essential for understanding the numerous roles of the actin cytoskeleton in diverse processes of cell differentiation. A previously introduced reporter construct based on the actin-binding domain of mouse talin proved to be useful for unravelling some of these aspects in cell layers close to the organ surface. However, cells more deeply embedded, especially stelar cells active in polar transport of auxin, show either diffuse or no fluorescence at all due to the lack of expression of the fusion protein. The same problem is encountered in the root meristem. Recently introduced actin reporters based on fusions between A. thaliana fimbrin 1 and GFP gave brilliant results in organs from the root differentiation zone upwards to the leaves, however failed to depict the filamentous actin cytoskeleton in the transition zone of the root, in the apical meristem and the root cap. To overcome these problems, we have prepared new transgenic lines for the visualization of F-actin in vivo. We report here that a construct consisting of GFP fused to the C-terminal half of A. thaliana fimbrin 1 reveals dynamic arrays of F-actin in all cells of stably transformed A. thaliana seedlings.

Green fluorescent protein fusions to Arabidopsis fimbrin 1 for spatio-temporal imaging of F-actin dynamics in roots

The visualization of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions with microtubule or actin filament (F-actin) binding proteins has provided new insights into the function of the cytoskeleton during plant development. For studies on actin, GFP fusions to talin have been the most generally used reporters. Although GFP-Talin has allowed in vivo F-actin imaging in a variety of plant cells, its utility in monitoring F-actin in stably transformed plants is limited particularly in developing roots where interesting actin dependent cell processes are occurring. In this study, we created a variety of GFP fusions to Arabidopsis Fimbrin 1 (AtFim1) to explore their utility for in vivo F-actin imaging in root cells and to better understand the actin binding properties of AtFim1 in living plant cells. Translational fusions of GFP to full-length AtFim1 or to some truncated variants of AtFim1 showed filamentous labeling in transient expression assays. One truncated fimbrin-GFP fusion was capable of labeling distinct filaments in stably transformed Arabidopsis roots. The filaments decorated by this construct were highly dynamic in growing root hairs and elongating root cells and were sensitive to actin disrupting drugs. Therefore, the fimbrin-GFP reporters we describe in this study provide additional tools for studying the actin cytoskeleton during root cell development. Moreover, the localization of AtFim1-GFP offers insights into the regulation of actin organization in developing roots by this class of actin cross-linking proteins.

Actin-dependent fluid-phase endocytosis in inner cortex cells of maize root apices

The fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LY) is a well-known and widely-used marker for fluid-phase endocytosis. In this paper, both light and electron microscopy revealed that LY was internalized into transition zone cells of the inner cortex of intact maize root apices. The internalized LY was localized within tubulo-vesicular compartments invaginating from the plasma membrane at actomyosin-enriched pit-fields and individual plasmodesmata, as well as within adjacent small peripheral vacuoles. The internalization of LY was blocked by pretreating the roots with the F-actin depolymerizing drug latrunculin B, but not with the F-actin stabilizer jasplakinolide. F-actin enriched plasmodesmata and pit-fields of the inner cortex also contain abundant plant-specific unconventional class VIII myosin(s). In addition, 2,3 butanedione monoxime, a general inhibitor of myosin ATPases, partially inhibited the uptake of LY into cells of the inner cortex. Conversely, loss of microtubules did not inhibit fluid-phase endocytosis of LY into these cells. In conclusion, specialized actin- and myosin VIII-enriched membrane domains perform a tissue-specific form of fluid-phase endocytosis in maize root apices. The possible physiological relevance of this process is discussed.

Lilliputian mutant of maize lacks cell elongation and shows defects in organization of actin cytoskeleton

The maize mutant lilliputian is characterized by miniature seedling stature, reduced cell elongation, and aberrant root anatomy. Here, we document that root cells of this mutant show several defects in the organization of actin filaments (AFs). Specifically, cells within the meristem lack dense perinuclear AF baskets and fail to redistribute AFs during mitosis. In contrast, mitotic cells of wild-type roots accumulate AFs at plasma membrane-associated domains that face the mitotic spindle poles. Both mitotic and early postmitotic mutant cells fail to assemble transverse arrays of cortical AFs, which are characteristic for wild-type root cells. In addition, early postmitotic cells show aberrant distribution of endoplasmic AF bundles that are normally organized through anchorage sites at cross-walls and nuclear surfaces. In wild-type root apices, these latter AF bundles are organized in the form of symmetrically arranged conical arrays and appear to be essential for the onset of rapid cell elongation. Exposure of wild-type and cv. Alarik maize root apices to the F-actin drugs cytochalasin D and latrunculin B mimics the phenotype of lilliputian root apices. In contrast to AFs, microtubules are more or less normally organized in root cells of lilliputian mutant. Collectively, these data suggest that the LILLIPUTIAN protein, the nature of which is still unknown, impinges on plant development via its action on the actin cytoskeleton.

Chondramides, novel cyclodepsipeptides from myxobacteria, influence cell development and induce actin filament polymerization in the green alga Micrasterias

The effects of chondramides A-D, new actin targeting cyclodepsipeptides from the myxobacterium Chondromyces crocatus, are probed on the unicellular green alga Micrasterias denticulata, a model organism for studies on cytomorphogenesis. All four chondramides readily enter the cells and cause severe shape malformations when applied during growth. However, the four derivatives have different lowest effective concentrations. Chondramide A: 20 microM, chondramide B: 15 microM, chondramide C: 5 microM chondramide D: 10 microM. At the ultrastructural level, chondramide C, the most effective drug, causes the appearance of abnormal, dense F-actin bundles, and a substantial increase in ER, which covers large parts of the developing semicell. Also the secondary cell wall is malformed by the drug. When chondramide C effects are investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence, alterations of the F-actin system are also visible. Instead of the cortical F-actin network of untreated controls, distinct parts of the cell are covered by abundant F-actin aggregations. Phalloidin staining of chondramide C treated cells results in a decreased fluorescence in a time-dependent manner due to binding competitions between these drugs. F-actin polymerizing and bundling capacities of chondramides A-D are presented in Micrasterias for the first time, and may in future make this substances a useful tool for cell biological research.

Poly(A)+ RNA during vegetative development of Acetabularia peniculus

In the juvenile stage, the diploid giant-celled green algae Acetabularia spp. are differentiated into an upright stalk and an irregularly branched rhizoid. Early amputation and grafting experiments as well as biochemical and molecular analyses have shown that mRNA (as poly(A)+ RNA) is continuously supplied from the primary nucleus in the rhizoid and accumulates in the stalk apex. In the present study, localization of poly(A)+ RNA in the juvenile stage of the Acetabularia peniculus was investigated by fluorescent in situ hybridization using oligo(dT) as a probe. The signal was localized in the apical cytoplasm and, in addition, multiple longitudinal striations throughout the stalk and rhizoid cytoplasm. A large portion of the poly(A)+ RNA striations exhibited structural polarity, broadened at one end and gradually thinned toward the other end. Some of the striations in the rhizoid cytoplasm were continuous with a zone of signal in the area of the perinuclear rim. The poly(A)+ RNA striations were associated with thick bands of longitudinal actin bundles which run through the entire length of the stalk. Cytochalasin D caused fragmentation of the actin bundles and irregular distribution of the fluorescent signal. We suggest that the poly(A)+ RNA striations constitute a hitherto unknown form of packaged mRNA that is transported over large distances along the actin cytoskeleton to be stored and expressed in the growing apex.

Jasplakinolide induces apoptosis in various transformed cell lines by a caspase-3-like protease-dependent pathway

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative effects of jasplakinolide, a cyclic depsipeptide from marine sponges, we examined whether jasplakinolide induces apoptosis in a variety of transformed and nontransformed cells. Jasplakinolide inhibited proliferation of human Jurkat T cells, resulting in cell death. This was accompanied by chromatin condensation and DNA cleavage at the linker regions between the nucleosomes. When caspase-3-like activity in the cytosolic extracts of Jurkat T cells was examined with a fluorescent substrate, DEVD-MAC (N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide), the activity in the cells treated with jasplakinolide was remarkably increased in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of Jurkat T cells with the caspase inhibitor zVAD [benzyloxycarbonyl(Cbz)-Val-Ala-beta-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone] or DEVD-CHO (N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-1-aldehyde) prevented the induction of apoptosis by jasplakinolide. Moreover, exposure of various murine transformed cell lines to jasplakinolide resulted in cell death, which was inhibited by zVAD. Although it has been well established that murine immature thymocytes are sensitive to apoptosis when exposed to various apoptotic stimuli, these cells as well as mature T lymphocytes were resistant to jasplakinolide-induced apoptosis. The results suggest that jasplakinolide induces apoptotic cell death through a caspase-3-like protease-dependent pathway. Another important outcome is that transformed cell lines were more susceptible to jasplakinolide-induced apoptosis than normal nontransformed cells.

Early steps in cold sensing by plant cells: the role of actin cytoskeleton and membrane fluidity

Many plants acquire freezing tolerance through cold acclimatization (CA), a prolonged exposure to low but non-freezing temperatures at the onset of winter. CA is associated with gene expression that requires transient calcium influx into the cytosol. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cells treated with agents blocking this influx are unable to cold-acclimatize. Conversely, chemical agents causing increased calcium influx induce cold acclimatization-specific (cas) gene expression in alfalfa at 25 degrees C. How low temperature triggers calcium influx is, however, unknown. We report here that induction of a CA-specific gene (cas30), calcium influx and freezing tolerance at 4 degrees C are all prevented by cell membrane fluidization, but, conversely, are induced at 25 degrees C by membrane rigidification. cas30 expression and calcium influx at 4 degrees C are also prevented by jasplakinolide (JK), an actin microfilament stabilizer, but induced at 25 degrees C by the actin microfilament destabilizer cytochalasin D (CD). JK blocked the membrane rigidifier-induced, but not the calcium channel agonist-induced cas30 expression at 25 degrees C. These findings indicate that cytoskeleton re-organization is an integral component in low-temperature signal transduction in alfalfa cell suspension cultures, serving as a link between membrane rigidification and calcium influx in CA.

SIGNALING TO THE ACTIN CYTOSKELETON IN PLANTS

Plants have developed finely tuned, cellular mechanisms to respond to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. In several examples, these responses necessitate rearrangements of the cytoplasm that are coordinated by a network of actin microfilaments and microtubules, dynamic polymers collectively known as the cytoskeleton. This review focuses on five different cellular responses in which the actin cytoskeleton redistributes following extracellular stimulation: pollen tube tip growth and the self-incompatibility response; root hair responses to bacterial nodulation factors; light-mediated plastid positioning; nonhost resistance to fungal attack; and guard cell shape and turgor changes. For each of these systems, there is reasonable knowledge about what signals induce the plant response and the function(s) of the actin rearrangement. This review aims to build beyond a description of cytoskeletal changes and look at specific actin-binding proteins that have been implicated as effectors of each response, as sites of action for second messengers, and as fundamental coordinators of actin dynamics.

Filamentous particle formation by human parainfluenza virus type 2

Some paramyxoviruses form long filamentous virus particles: however, the determinants of filament formation and the role of such particles in virus transmission and pathogenicity are not clearly defined. By using conventional immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) forms filamentous particles ranging from 5 to 15 microm in length in virus-infected, polarized epithelial cells. The formation of filamentous particles was found to be virus type-specific and was not observed when the same cell types were infected with parainfluenza virus type 3 or Sendai virus, suggesting that different paramyxovirus genera exhibit distinct morphological properties. HPIV2 filamentous particle formation was found to be inhibited by cytochalasin D (CD) or jasplakinolide treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of 4 microg/ml CD or 1 microM jasplakinolide, the formation of filamentous particles was completely abolished, although similar haemagglutination and p.f.u. titres of virus were found to be released into the culture medium at 24 h post-infection. These observations indicate that host cell components, including the actin microfilament network, are important determinants of the morphology of parainfluenza viruses. The predominance of filamentous particles in polarized epithelial cells may reflect specific pathogenic roles of these particles in infection of human epithelial tissues.