A correlative analysis of actin filament assembly, structure, and dynamics

Actin polymerization and depolymerization in developing vertebrates

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.

Aggregation controlled by condensate rheology

Biomolecular condensates in living cells can exhibit a complex rheology, including viscoelastic and glassy behavior. This rheological behavior of condensates was suggested to regulate polymerization of cytoskeletal filaments and aggregation of amyloid fibrils. Here, we theoretically investigate how the rheological properties of condensates can control the formation of linear aggregates. To this end, we propose a kinetic theory for linear aggregation in coexisting phases, which accounts for the aggregate size distribution and the exchange of aggregates between inside and outside of condensates. The rheology of condensates is accounted in our model via aggregate mobilities that depend on aggregate size. We show that condensate rheology determines whether aggregates of all sizes or dominantly small aggregates are exchanged between condensate inside and outside on the timescale of aggregation. As a result, the ratio of aggregate numbers inside to outside of condensates differs significantly. Strikingly, we also find that weak variations in the rheological properties of condensates can lead to a switch-like change of the number of aggregates. These results suggest a possible physical mechanism for how living cells could control linear aggregation in a switch-like fashion through variations in condensate rheology.

In vitro Preparation of Homogenous Actin Filaments for Dynamic and Electrophoretic Light Scattering Measurements

Actin filaments are essential for various biological activities in eukaryotic cellular processes. Available in vitro experimental data on these systems often lack details and information on sample preparation protocols and experimental techniques, leading to unreproducible results. Additionally, different experimental techniques and polymerization buffers provide different, sometimes contradictory results on the properties of these systems, making it substantially difficult to gather meaningful data and conclusive information from them. This article presents a robust, accurate, detailed polymerization protocol to prepare high-quality actin filament samples for light scattering experiments. It has been shown to provide unicity and consistency in preparing stable, dispersed, aggregates-free, homogenous actin filament samples that could benefit many other scientific research groups currently working in the field. To develop the protocol, we used conventional actin buffers in physiological conditions. However, it can easily be adapted to prepare samples using other buffers and biological fluids. This protocol yielded reproducible results on essential actin filament parameters such as the translational diffusion coefficient and electrophoretic mobility. Overall, suitable modifications of the proposed experimental method could generate accurate, reproducible light scattering results on other highly charged anionic filaments commonly found in biological cells (e.g., microtubules, DNAs, RNAs, or filamentous viruses). This protocol was validated in: Polymers (2022), DOI: 10.3390/polym14122438 Graphical abstract.

Hydrodynamic and Polyelectrolyte Properties of Actin Filaments: Theory and Experiments

Actin filament’s polyelectrolyte and hydrodynamic properties, their interactions with the biological environment, and external force fields play an essential role in their biological activities in eukaryotic cellular processes. In this article, we introduce a unique approach that combines dynamics and electrophoresis light-scattering experiments, an extended semiflexible worm-like chain model, and an asymmetric polymer length distribution theory to characterize the polyelectrolyte and hydrodynamic properties of actin filaments in aqueous electrolyte solutions. A fitting approach was used to optimize the theories and filament models for hydrodynamic conditions. We used the same sample and experimental conditions and considered several g-actin and polymerization buffers to elucidate the impact of their chemical composition, reducing agents, pH values, and ionic strengths on the filament translational diffusion coefficient, electrophoretic mobility, structure factor, asymmetric length distribution, effective filament diameter, electric charge, zeta potential, and semiflexibility. Compared to those values obtained from molecular structure models, our results revealed a lower value of the effective G-actin charge and a more significant value of the effective filament diameter due to the formation of the double layer of the electrolyte surrounding the filaments. Contrary to the data usually reported from electron micrographs, the lower values of our results for the persistence length and average contour filament length agree with the significant difference in the association rates at the filament ends that shift to sub-micro lengths, which is the maximum of the length distribution.

Oxidation and reduction of actin: Origin, impact in vitro and functional consequences in vivo

Actin is among the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells and assembles into dynamic filamentous networks regulated by many actin binding proteins. The actin cytoskeleton must be finely tuned, both in space and time, to fulfill key cellular functions such as cell division, cell shape changes, phagocytosis and cell migration. While actin oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) at non-physiological levels are known for long to impact on actin polymerization and on the cellular actin cytoskeleton, growing evidence shows that direct and reversible oxidation/reduction of specific actin amino acids plays an important and physiological role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. In this review, we describe which actin amino acid residues can be selectively oxidized and reduced in many different ways (e.g. disulfide bond formation, glutathionylation, carbonylation, nitration, nitrosylation and other oxidations), the cellular enzymes at the origin of these post-translational modifications, and the impact of actin redox modifications both in vitro and in vivo. We show that the regulated balance of oxidation and reduction of key actin amino acid residues contributes to the control of actin filament polymerization and disassembly at the subcellular scale and highlight how improper redox modifications of actin can lead to pathological conditions.

Parallel actin monomers in the 8S complex of actin-INF2

Polymerization and depolymerization of actin play an essential role in eukaryotic cells. Actin exists in cells in both monomeric (G-actin) and filamentous (polymer, F-actin) forms. Actin binding proteins (ABPs) facilitate the transition between these two states, and their interactions with these two states of actin are critical for actin-based cellular processes. Rapid depolymerization of actin is assisted in the brain and/or other cells by its oxidation by the enzyme Mical (yielding Mox-actin), and/or by the binding of Inverted Formin 2 (INF2) - which can also accelerate filaments formation. At their stoichiometric molar ratio INF2 and actin yield the 8S complex (consisting of 4 actin monomers: 2 INF2 dimer molecules). Using biochemical and biophysical methods, we investigate the structural arrangement of actin in the 8S particles and the interaction of INF2 with actin and Mox-actin. To that end, we show 2 D class averages of 8S particles obtained by negative staining electron microscopy. We also show that: (i) 8S particles can seed rapid actin assembly; (ii) Mox-actin and INF2 form 8S particles at proteins ratios similar to those of unoxidized actin; (iii) chemical crosslinkings suggest that actin monomers are in a parallel orientation in the 8S particles of both actin and Mox-actin; and (iv) INF2 accelerates the disassembly of Mox-F-actin. Our results provide better understanding of actin's arrangement in the 8S particles formed during actin depolymerization and in the early polymerization stages of both actin and Mox-actin.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Actin activates Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoY nucleotidyl cyclase toxin and ExoY-like effector domains from MARTX toxins

The nucleotidyl cyclase toxin ExoY is one of the virulence factors injected by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system into host cells. Inside cells, it is activated by an unknown eukaryotic cofactor to synthesize various cyclic nucleotide monophosphates. ExoY-like adenylate cyclases are also found in Multifunctional-Autoprocessing Repeats-in-ToXin (MARTX) toxins produced by various Gram-negative pathogens. Here we demonstrate that filamentous actin (F-actin) is the hitherto unknown cofactor of ExoY. Association with F-actin stimulates ExoY activity more than 10,000 fold in vitro and results in stabilization of actin filaments. ExoY is recruited to actin filaments in transfected cells and alters F-actin turnover. Actin also activates an ExoY-like adenylate cyclase MARTX effector domain from Vibrio nigripulchritudo. Finally, using a yeast genetic screen, we identify actin mutants that no longer activate ExoY. Our results thus reveal a new sub-group within the class II adenylyl cyclase family, namely actin-activated nucleotidyl cyclase (AA-NC) toxins.

Contributions of the lower dimer to supramolecular actin patterning revealed by TIRF microscopy

Two distinct dimers are formed during the initial steps of actin polymerization. The first one, referred to as the 'lower dimer' (LD) was discovered many years ago by means of chemical crosslinking. Owing to its transient nature, a biological relevance had long been precluded when, using LD-specific antibodies, we detected LD-like contacts in actin assemblies that are associated with the endolysosomal compartment in a number of different cell lines. Moreover, immunofluorescence showed the presence of LD-related structures at the cell periphery of migrating fibroblasts, in the nucleus, and in association with the centrosome of interphase cells. Here, we explore contributions of the LD to the assembly of supramolecular actin structures in real time by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Our data shows that while LD on its own cannot polymerize under filament forming conditions, it is able to incorporate into growing F-actin filaments. This incorporation of LD triggers the formation of X-shaped filament assemblies with barbed ends that are pointing in the same direction in the majority of cases. Similarly, an increased frequency of junction sites was observed when filaments were assembled in the presence of oxidized actin. This data suggests that a disulfide bridge between Cys374 residues might stabilize LD-contacts. Based on our findings, we propose two possible models for the molecular mechanism underlying the supramolecular actin patterning in LD-related structures.

β- and γ-Actins in the nucleus of human melanoma A375 cells

Actin is a highly conserved protein that is expressed in all eukaryotic cells and has essential functions in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Nuclear actin is involved in transcription by all three RNA polymerases, chromatin remodelling, RNA processing, intranuclear transport, nuclear export and in maintenance of the nuclear architecture. The nuclear actin level and polymerization state are important factors regulating nuclear processes such as transcription. Our study shows that, in contrast to the cytoplasm, the majority of endogenous nuclear actin is unpolymerized in human melanoma A375 cells. Most mammalian cells express the two non-muscle β- and γ-actin isoforms that differ in only four amino acids. Despite their sequence similarity, studies analysing the cytoplasmic functions of these isoforms demonstrated that β- and γ-actins show differences in localization and function. However, little is known about the involvement of the individual actin isoforms in nuclear processes. Here, we used the human melanoma A375 cell line to analyse actin isoforms in regard to their nuclear localization. We show that both β- and γ-non-muscle actin isoforms are present in nuclei of these cells. Immunolocalization studies demonstrate that both isoforms co-localize with RNA polymerase II and hnRNP U. However, we observe differences in the ratio of cytoplasmic to nuclear actin distribution between the isoforms. We show that β-actin has a significantly higher nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio than γ-actin.

Multiscale impact of nucleotides and cations on the conformational equilibrium, elasticity and rheology of actin filaments and crosslinked networks

Cells are able to respond to mechanical forces and deformations. The actin cytoskeleton, a highly dynamic scaffolding structure, plays an important role in cell mechano-sensing. Thus, understanding rheological behaviors of the actin cytoskeleton is critical for delineating mechanical behaviors of cells. The actin cytoskeleton consists of interconnected actin filaments (F-actin) that form via self-assembly of actin monomers. It has been shown that molecular changes of the monomer subunits impact the rigidity of F-actin. However, it remains inconclusive whether or not the molecular changes can propagate to the network level and thus alter the rheological properties of actin networks. Here, we focus on how cation binding and nucleotide state tune the molecular conformation and rigidity of F-actin and a representative rheological behavior of actin networks, strain-stiffening. We employ a multiscale approach by combining established computational techniques: molecular dynamics, normal mode analysis and Brownian dynamics. Our findings indicate that different combinations of nucleotide (ATP, ADP or ADP-Pi) and cation [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] at one or multiple sites) binding change the molecular conformation of F-actin by varying inter- and intra-strand interactions which bridge adjacent subunits between and within F-actin helical strands. This is reflected in the rigidity of actin filaments against bending and stretching. We found that differences in extension and bending rigidity of F-actin induced by cation binding to the low-, intermediate- and high-affinity sites vary the strain-stiffening response of actin networks crosslinked by rigid crosslinkers, such as scruin, whereas they minimally impact the strain-stiffening response when compliant crosslinkers, such as filamin A or [Formula: see text]-actinin, are used.

Near-atomic resolution for one state of F-actin

Actin functions as a helical polymer, F-actin, but attempts to build an atomic model for this filament have been hampered by the fact that the filament cannot be crystallized and by structural heterogeneity. We have used a direct electron detector, cryo-electron microscopy, and the forces imposed on actin filaments in thin films to reconstruct one state of the filament at 4.7 Å resolution, which allows for building a reliable pseudo-atomic model of F-actin. We also report a different state of the filament where actin protomers adopt a conformation observed in the crystal structure of the G-actin-profilin complex with an open ATP-binding cleft. Comparison of the two structural states provides insights into ATP-hydrolysis and filament dynamics. The atomic model provides a framework for understanding why every buried residue in actin has been under intense selective pressure.

Structural studies on maturing actin filaments

We have previously reported that actin undergoes a conformational transition (which we named "maturation") during polymerization, and that the actin-binding protein, caldesmon (CaD), when added at an early phase of polymerization, interferes with this process (Huang et al. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:71). The pre-transition filament is characterized by relatively low pyrene-fluorescence intensity when pyrene-labeled actin is used as a reporter of subunit assembly into filaments, whereas the mature filament emits a characteristic enhanced fluorescence. Previously reported co-sedimentation experiments suggest that filament formation is not inhibited by the presence of CaD, despite blocking the transition associated with filament maturation. In this study we visualized structural effects of CaD on the assembly of actin filaments by TIRF and electron microscopy. CaD-free actin forms "rough" filaments with irregular edges and indistinct subunit organization during the initial phase (∼20 min under our conditions) of polymerization as reported previously by others (Steinmetz et al. J Cell Biol 1997; 138:559; Galinska-Rakoczy et al. J Mol Biol 2009; 387:869), which most likely correspond to the pre-transition state preceding the maturation step. Later during the polymerization process "mature" filaments exhibit a smoother F-actin appearance with easily detectible double helically arranged actin subunits. While the inclusion of the actin-binding domain of CaD during actin polymerization does not affect the elongation rate, it is associated with a prolonged pre-transition phase, characterized by a delayed alteration (rough to smooth) of the appearance of filaments, consistent with a later onset of the maturation process.

Coronin 1 trimerization is essential to protect pathogenic mycobacteria within macrophages from lysosomal delivery

Coronin 1 is a member of the evolutionarily conserved coronin protein family. Coronin proteins are characterized by the presence of a central WD repeat and a C-terminal coiled coil that in coronin 1 is responsible for trimerization. Coronin 1 was identified as a host protein protecting intracellularly residing mycobacteria from degradation by activating the Ca(2+)/calcineurin pathway but whether or not trimerization is essential for this function remains unknown. We here show that trimerization is essential to promote mycobacterial survival within macrophages and activate calcineurin. Furthermore, macrophage activation that induces serine-phosphorylation on coronin 1 resulted in coronin 1 monomerization. These results suggest that modulation of coronin 1 oligomerization is an effective way to determine the outcome of a mycobacterial infection in macrophages.

Computational prediction of actin-actin interaction

Actin is one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells, where it plays key roles in cell shape, motility, and regulation. Actin is found in globular (G) and filamentous (F) structure in the cell. The helix of actin occurs as a result of polymerization of monomeric G-actin molecules through sequential rowing, is called F-actin. Recently, the crystal structure of an actin dimer has been reported, which details molecular interface in F-actin. In this study, the computational prediction model of actin and actin complex has been constructed base on the atomic model structure of G-actin. To this end, a docking simulation was carried out using predictive docking tools to obtain modeled structures of the actin-actin complex. Following molecular dynamics refinement, hot spots interactions at the protein interface were identified, that were predicted to contribute substantially to the free energy of binding. These provided a detailed prediction of key amino acid interactions at the protein-protein interface. The obtained model can be used for future experimental and computational studies to draw biological and functional conclusions. Also, the identified interactions will be used for designing next studies to understand the occurrence of F-actin structure.

Analysis of flexural rigidity of actin filaments propelled by surface adsorbed myosin motors

Actin filaments are central components of the cytoskeleton and the contractile machinery of muscle. The filaments are known to exist in a range of conformational states presumably with different flexural rigidity and thereby different persistence lengths. Our results analyze the approaches proposed previously to measure the persistence length from the statistics of the winding paths of actin filaments that are propelled by surface-adsorbed myosin motor fragments in the in vitro motility assay. Our results suggest that the persistence length of heavy meromyosin propelled actin filaments can be estimated with high accuracy and reproducibility using this approach provided that: (1) the in vitro motility assay experiments are designed to prevent bias in filament sliding directions, (2) at least 200 independent filament paths are studied, (3) the ratio between the sliding distance between measurements and the camera pixel-size is between 4 and 12, (4) the sliding distances between measurements is less than 50% of the expected persistence length, and (5) an appropriate cut-off value is chosen to exclude abrupt large angular changes in sliding direction that are complications, e.g., due to the presence of rigor heads. If the above precautions are taken the described method should be a useful routine part of in vitro motility assays thus expanding the amount of information to be gained from these.

Disulfide cross-linked antiparallel actin dimer

Oxidation of actin monomer (G-actin) with copper o-phenanthroline resulted in a rapid, high yield of disulfide cross-linked dimer. The cross-link is due to an intermolecular disulfide bond between actin Cys374 of each molecule, resulting in a tail-to-tail, i.e., antiparallel, actin dimer. Analytical ultracentrifugation profiles of G-actin can be ascribed to the existence of actin monomers with very little, if any, dimer. Thus, actin dimers are not energetically favorable, indicating that cross-linked dimers are formed during random diffusional collisions. On the other hand, a similar oxidation of actin polymer (F-actin) resulted in a much lower yield of the cross-linked actin dimer that showed no sign of leveling off. Therefore, it is proposed that the cross-linked dimer from actin polymer is due to collisional complexes of actin monomers that are in equilibrium with the polymer during actin treadmilling. These results account for the reported observation that during the early stages of actin polymerization (where the actin monomer concentration is high) cross-linked antiparallel actin dimers are formed in relatively high yield whereas none are formed at later stages of polymerization. These findings raise questions concerning the validity of the antiparallel actin dimer model of in vitro actin polymerization that is based on the assumption that the ability to form cross-linked actin dimers implies the existence of stable dimers.

Tetraspanin CD82 inhibits protrusion and retraction in cell movement by attenuating the plasma membrane-dependent actin organization

To determine how tetraspanin KAI1/CD82, a tumor metastasis suppressor, inhibits cell migration, we assessed which cellular events critical for motility are altered by KAI1/CD82 and how KAI1/CD82 regulates these events. We found that KAI1/CD82-expressing cells typically exhibited elongated cellular tails and diminished lamellipodia. Live imaging demonstrated that the polarized protrusion and retraction of the plasma membrane became deficient upon KAI1/CD82 expression. The deficiency in developing these motility-related cellular events was caused by poor formations of actin cortical network and stress fiber and by aberrant dynamics in actin organization. Rac1 activity was reduced by KAI1/CD82, consistent with the diminution of lamellipodia and actin cortical network; while the growth factor-stimulated RhoA activity was blocked by KAI1/CD82, consistent with the loss of stress fiber and attenuation in cellular retraction. Upon KAI1/CD82 expression, Rac effector cofilin was not enriched at the cell periphery to facilitate lamellipodia formation while Rho kinase exhibited a significantly lower activity leading to less retraction. Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-biphosphate, which initiates actin polymerization from the plasma membrane, became less detectable at the cell periphery in KAI1/CD82-expressing cells. Moreover, KAI1/CD82-induced phenotypes likely resulted from the suppression of multiple signaling pathways such as integrin and growth factor signaling. In summary, at the cellular level KAI1/CD82 inhibited polarized protrusion and retraction events by disrupting actin reorganization; at the molecular level, KAI1/CD82 deregulated Rac1, RhoA, and their effectors cofilin and Rho kinase by perturbing the plasma membrane lipids.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAAD)-causing mutation in actin affects formin regulation of polymerization

More than 30 mutations in ACTA2, which encodes α-smooth muscle actin, have been identified to cause autosomal dominant thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. The mutation R256H is of particular interest because it also causes patent ductus arteriosus and moyamoya disease. R256H is one of the more prevalent mutations and, based on its molecular location near the strand-strand interface in the actin filament, may affect F-actin stability. To understand the molecular ramifications of the R256H mutation, we generated Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells expressing only R256H yeast actin as a model system. These cells displayed abnormal cytoskeletal morphology and increased sensitivity to latrunculin A. After cable disassembly induced by transient exposure to latrunculin A, mutant cells were delayed in reestablishing the actin cytoskeleton. In vitro, mutant actin exhibited a higher than normal critical concentration and a delayed nucleation. Consequently, we investigated regulation of mutant actin by formin, a potent facilitator of nucleation and a protein needed for normal vascular smooth muscle cell development. Mutant actin polymerization was inhibited by the FH1-FH2 fragment of the yeast formin, Bni1. This fragment strongly capped the filament rather than facilitating polymerization. Interestingly, phalloidin or the presence of wild type actin reversed the strong capping behavior of Bni1. Together, the data suggest that the R256H actin mutation alters filament conformation resulting in filament instability and misregulation by formin. These biochemical effects may contribute to abnormal histology identified in diseased arterial samples from affected patients.

The conformational state of actin filaments regulates branching by actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex

Actin is a highly ubiquitous protein in eukaryotic cells that plays a crucial role in cell mechanics and motility. Cell motility is driven by assembling actin as polymerizing actin drives cell protrusions in a process closely involving a host of other actin-binding proteins, notably the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, which nucleates actin and forms branched filamentous structures. The Arp2/3 complex preferentially binds specific actin networks at the cell leading edge and forms branched filamentous structures, which drive cell protrusions, but the exact regulatory mechanism behind this process is not well understood. Here we show using in vitro imaging and binding assays that a fragment of the actin-binding protein caldesmon added to polymerizing actin increases the Arp2/3-mediated branching activity, whereas it has no effect on branch formation when binding to aged actin filaments. Because this caldesmon effect is shown to be independent of nucleotide hydrolysis and phosphate release from actin, our results suggest a mechanism by which caldesmon maintains newly polymerized actin in a distinct state that has a higher affinity for the Arp2/3 complex. Our data show that this new state does not affect the level of cooperativity of binding by Arp2/3 complex or its distribution on actin. This presents a novel regulatory mechanism by which caldesmon, and potentially other actin-binding proteins, regulates the interactions of actin with its binding partners.

Myosin and tropomyosin stabilize the conformation of formin-nucleated actin filaments

The conformational elasticity of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for its versatile biological functions. Increasing evidence supports that the interplay between the structural and functional properties of actin filaments is finely regulated by actin-binding proteins; however, the underlying mechanisms and biological consequences are not completely understood. Previous studies showed that the binding of formins to the barbed end induces conformational transitions in actin filaments by making them more flexible through long range allosteric interactions. These conformational changes are accompanied by altered functional properties of the filaments. To get insight into the conformational regulation of formin-nucleated actin structures, in the present work we investigated in detail how binding partners of formin-generated actin structures, myosin and tropomyosin, affect the conformation of the formin-nucleated actin filaments using fluorescence spectroscopic approaches. Time-dependent fluorescence anisotropy and temperature-dependent Förster-type resonance energy transfer measurements revealed that heavy meromyosin, similarly to tropomyosin, restores the formin-induced effects and stabilizes the conformation of actin filaments. The stabilizing effect of heavy meromyosin is cooperative. The kinetic analysis revealed that despite the qualitatively similar effects of heavy meromyosin and tropomyosin on the conformational dynamics of actin filaments the mechanisms of the conformational transition are different for the two proteins. Heavy meromyosin stabilizes the formin-nucleated actin filaments in an apparently single step reaction upon binding, whereas the stabilization by tropomyosin occurs after complex formation. These observations support the idea that actin-binding proteins are key elements of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the conformational and functional diversity of actin filaments in living cells.

An antiparallel actin dimer is associated with the endocytic pathway in mammalian cells

The dynamic rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in several cellular processes such as cell motility, endocytosis, RNA processing and chromatin organization. However, the supramolecular actin structures involved in the different processes remain largely unknown. One of the less studied forms of actin is the lower dimer (LD). This unconventional arrangement of two actin molecules in an antiparallel orientation can be detected by chemical crosslinking at the onset of polymerization in vitro. Moreover, evidence for a transient incorporation of LD into growing filaments and its ability to inhibit nucleation of F-actin filament assembly implicate that the LD pathway contributes to supramolecular actin patterning. However, a clear link from this actin species to a specific cellular function has not yet been established. We have developed an antibody that selectively binds to LD configurations in supramolecular actin structures assembled in vitro. This antibody allowed us to unveil the LD in different mammalian cells. In particular, we show an association of the antiparallel actin arrangement with the endocytic compartment at the cellular and ultrastructural level. Taken together, our results strongly support a functional role of LD in the patterning of supramolecular actin assemblies in mammalian cells.

Actin: from structural plasticity to functional diversity

This article addresses the multiple activities of actin. Starting out with the history of actin's discovery, purification and structure, it emphasizes the close relation between structure and function. In this context, we also point to unconventional actin conformations. Their existence in living cells is not yet well documented, however, they seem to play a special role in the supramolecular patterning that underlies some of the physiological functions of actin. Conceivably, such conformations may contribute to actin's diverse activities in the nucleus that are poorly understood so far.

Phalloidin perturbs the interaction of human non-muscle myosin isoforms 2A and 2C1 with F-actin

Phalloidin and fluorescently labeled phalloidin analogs are established reagents to stabilize and mark actin filaments for the investigation of acto-myosin interactions. In the present study, we employed transient and steady-state kinetic measurements as well as in vitro motility assays to show that phalloidin perturbs the productive interaction of human non-muscle myosin-2A and -2C1 with filamentous actin. Phalloidin binding to F-actin results in faster dissociation of the complex formed with non-muscle myosin-2A and -2C1, reduced actin-activated ATP turnover, and slower velocity of actin filaments in the in vitro motility assay. In contrast, phalloidin binding to F-actin does not affect the interaction with human non-muscle myosin isoform 2B and Dictyostelium myosin-2 and myosin-5b.

The structure of native G-actin

Heat shock proteins act as cytoplasmic chaperones to ensure correct protein folding and prevent protein aggregation. The presence of stoichiometric amounts of one such heat shock protein, Hsp27, in supersaturated solutions of unmodified G-actin leads to crystallization, in preference to polymerization, of the actin. Hsp27 is not evident in the resulting crystal structure. Thus, for the first time, we present the structure of G-actin in a form that is devoid of polymerization-deterring chemical modifications or binding partners, either of which may alter its conformation. The structure contains a calcium ion and ATP within a closed nucleotide-binding cleft, and the D-loop is disordered. This native G-actin structure invites comparison with the current F-actin model in order to understand the structural implications for actin polymerization. In particular, this analysis suggests a mechanism by which the bound cation coordinates conformational change and ATP-hydrolysis.

Antiparallel dimer and actin assembly

The antiparallel dimer (APD) is a unique actin species, which can be detected in the early stages of actin polymerization. In this work, we introduce novel tools for examination of the effects of the APD on actin polymerization. We document that bifunctional methanothiosulfonate (MTS) reagents are an attractive alternative to the routinely used p-phenylene maleimide (pPDM) for APD detection, allowing for fast and efficient cross-linking under conditions of actin polymerization at neutral pH. We report also that pyrene-labeled yeast actin mutant A167C/C374A (C167PM) forms significant amounts of stable APD in solution, without chemical cross-linking or polymerization-affecting compounds, and that the kinetics of APD transformation and decay upon actin polymerization can be easily monitored. The dimerization of C167PM has been characterized in sedimentation equilibrium experiments (K(d) approximately 0.3 microM). This new system offers the advantage of assessing the effects of the APD under physiological conditions (pH, ionic strength, and Mg(2+) concentration) and testing for conformational transitions in the APD during nucleation-polymerization reactions or/and in the presence of actin-interacting factors. The results obtained using two different systems (C167PM actin and polylysine-induced polymerization of alpha-actin) show that the APD decays at a rate slower than that at which the filaments elongate, revealing its transient incorporation into filaments, and confirm that it inhibits the nucleation and elongation of actin filaments.

Structural polymorphism of the ParM filament and dynamic instability

Segregation of the R1 plasmid in bacteria relies on ParM, an actin homolog that segregates plasmids by switching between cycles of polymerization and depolymerization. We find similar polymerization kinetics and stability in the presence of either ATP or GTP and a 10-fold affinity preference for ATP over GTP. We used electron cryo-microscopy to evaluate the heterogeneity within ParM filaments. In addition to variable twist, ParM has variable axial rise, and both parameters are coupled. Subunits in the same ParM filaments can exist in two different structural states, with the nucleotide-binding cleft closed or open, and the bound nucleotide biases the distribution of states. The interface between protomers is different between these states, and in neither state is it similar to F-actin. Our results suggest that the closed state of the cleft is required but not sufficient for ParM polymerization, and provide a structural basis for the dynamic instability of ParM filaments.

Differential effects of caldesmon on the intermediate conformational states of polymerizing actin

The actin-binding protein caldesmon (CaD) reversibly inhibits smooth muscle contraction. In non-muscle cells, a shorter CaD isoform co-exists with microfilaments in the stress fibers at the quiescent state, but the phosphorylated CaD is found at the leading edge of migrating cells where dynamic actin filament remodeling occurs. We have studied the effect of a C-terminal fragment of CaD (H32K) on the kinetics of the in vitro actin polymerization by monitoring the fluorescence of pyrene-labeled actin. Addition of H32K or its phosphorylated form either attenuated or accelerated the pyrene emission enhancement, depending on whether it was added at the early or the late phase of actin polymerization. However, the CaD fragment had no effect on the yield of sedimentable actin, nor did it affect the actin ATPase activity. Our findings can be explained by a model in which nascent actin filaments undergo a maturation process that involves at least two intermediate conformational states. If present at early stages of actin polymerization, CaD stabilizes one of the intermediate states and blocks the subsequent filament maturation. Addition of CaD at a later phase accelerates F-actin formation. The fact that CaD is capable of inhibiting actin filament maturation provides a novel function for CaD and suggests an active role in the dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.

Structural plasticity in actin and tubulin polymer dynamics

Actin filaments and microtubules polymerize and depolymerize by adding and removing subunits at polymer ends, and these dynamics drive cytoplasmic organization, cell division, and cell motility. Since Wegner proposed the treadmilling theory for actin in 1976, it has largely been assumed that the chemical state of the bound nucleotide determines the rates of subunit addition and removal. This chemical kinetics view is difficult to reconcile with observations revealing multiple structural states of the polymer that influence polymerization dynamics but that are not strictly coupled to the bound nucleotide state. We refer to these phenomena as "structural plasticity" and discuss emerging evidence that they play a central role in polymer dynamics and function.

Cysteine engineering of actin self-assembly interfaces

The Holmes model of filamentous actin (F-actin) and recent structural studies suggest specific atomic interactions between F-actin subunits. We tested these interactions through a cysteine-engineering approach with the goal of inhibiting filament formation by introducing chemical groups at sites important for polymerization. We substituted surface amino acids on the actin molecule with cysteine residues and tested the effect of producing these actin mutant proteins in a yeast expression system. The intrinsic folding and polymerization characteristics of the cysteine-engineered actin proteins were measured. The effect of chemical modification of the introduced cysteine residues on the polymerization of the actin mutant proteins was also examined. Modification of cysteine residues with large hydrophobic reagents resulted in polymerization inhibition. We examined the finding that the D288C actin protein does not polymerize under oxidizing conditions and forms protein aggregates when magnesium and EGTA are present. Chemical crosslinking experiments revealed the presence of a lower dimer when only D288C actin was present. When both D288C and A204C actin were present, crosslinking experiments support the proximity of Asp288 on the barbed end of one subunit to Ala204 on the pointed end of a neighboring subunit in the Holmes model of F-actin.

New aspects of the spontaneous polymerization of actin in the presence of salts

The mechanism of salt-induced actin polymerization involves the energetically unfavorable nucleation step, followed by filament elongation by the addition of monomers. The use of a bifunctional cross-linker, N,N'-(1,4-phenylene)dimaleimide, revealed rapid formation of the so-called lower dimers (LD) in which actin monomers are arranged in an antiparallel fashion. The filament elongation phase is characterized by a gradual LD decay and an increase in the yield of "upper dimers" (UD) characteristic of F-actin. Here we have used 90 degrees light scattering, electron microscopy, and N, N'-(1,4-phenylene)dimaleimide cross-linking to reinvestigate relationships between changes in filament morphology, LD decay, and increase in the yield of UD during filament growth in a wide range of conditions influencing the rate of the nucleation reaction. The results show irregularity and instability of filaments at early stages of polymerization under all conditions used, and suggest that an earlier documented coassembling of LD with monomeric actin contributes to the initial disordering of the filaments rather than to the nucleation of polymerization. The effects of the type of G-actin-bound divalent cation (Ca2+/Mg2+), nucleotide (ATP/ADP), and polymerizing salt on the relation between changes in filament morphology and progress in G-actin-to-F-actin transformation show that ligand-dependent alterations in G-actin conformation determine not only the nucleation rate but also the kinetics of ordering of the filament structure in the elongation phase. The time courses of changes in the yield of UD suggest that filament maturation involves cooperative propagation of "proper" interprotomer contacts. Acceleration of this process by the initially bound MgATP supports the view that the filament-destabilizing conformational changes triggered by ATP hydrolysis and Pi liberation during polymerization are constrained by the intermolecular contacts established between MgATP monomers prior to ATP hydrolysis. An important role of contacts involving the DNase-I-binding loop and the C-terminus of actin is proposed.

Desmin and vimentin intermediate filament networks: their viscoelastic properties investigated by mechanical rheometry

We have investigated the viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasmic intermediate filament (IF) proteins desmin and vimentin. Mechanical measurements were supported by time-dependent electron microscopy studies of the assembly process under similar conditions. Network formation starts within 2 min, but it takes more than 30 min until equilibrium mechanical network strength is reached. Filament bundling is more pronounced for desmin than for vimentin. Desmin filaments (persistence length l(p) approximately 900 nm) are stiffer than vimentin filaments (l(p) approximately 400 nm), but both IFs are much more flexible than microfilaments. The concentration dependence of the plateau modulus G(0) approximately c(alpha) is much weaker than predicted theoretically for networks of semiflexible filaments. This is more pronounced for vimentin (alpha=0.47) than for desmin (alpha=0.70). Both networks exhibit strain stiffening at large shear deformations. At the transition from linear to nonlinear viscoelastic response, only desmin shows characteristics of nonaffine network deformation. Strain stiffening and the maximum modulus occur at strain amplitudes about an order of magnitude larger than those for microfilaments. This is probably attributable to axial slippage within the tetramer building blocks of the IFs. Network deformation beyond a critical strain gamma(max) results in irreversible damage. Strain stiffening sets in at lower concentrations, is more pronounced, and is less sensitive to ionic strength for desmin than for vimentin. Hence, desmin exhibits strain stiffening even at low-salt concentrations, which is not observed for vimentin, and we conclude that the strength of electrostatic repulsion compared to the strength of attractive interactions forming the network junctions is significantly weaker for desmin than for vimentin filaments. These findings indicate that both IFs exhibit distinct mechanical properties that are adapted to their respective cellular surroundings [i.e., myocytes (desmin) and fibroblasts (vimentin)].

Regulated exocytosis and vesicle trafficking in astrocytes

Astrocytes are increasingly viewed as crucial cells supporting and integrating brain functions. It is thought that the release of gliotransmitters into the extracellular space by regulated exocytosis supports a significant part of communication between astrocytes and neurons. Prior to exocytosis, the membrane-bound vesicles are transported through the astrocyte cytoplasm. Our recent studies have revealed new insights into vesicle trafficking in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and are reviewed in this article. The prefusion mobility of fluorescently labeled peptidergic vesicles was studied in cultured rat and mouse astrocytes. Vesicle delivery to the plasma membrane involved an interaction with the cytoskeleton, in particular with microtubules and actin filaments. Interestingly, vesicle mobility in mouse astrocytes deficient in intermediate filaments show impaired directionality of peptidergic vesicle mobility. To explore whether stimuli that increase the concentration of free calcium ions in the cytoplasm triggered vesicular ATP release from astrocytes, human embryonic kidney-293T cells transfected with a P2X(3) receptor were used as sniffers to detect ATP release. Glutamate stimulation of astrocytes was followed by an increase in the incidence of small, transient, inward currents in sniffer cells, reminiscent of postsynaptic quantal events observed at synapses. Some of the membrane-bound vesicles are retrieved from the plasma membrane to be recycled back into the cytosol. Trafficking velocity of postfusion (recycling) atrial natriuretic peptide vesicles was one order of magnitude slower in comparison to the mobility of prefusion vesicles. However, transport of all vesicle types studied required an intact cytoskeleton.

Dynamic stabilization of actin filaments

We report here that actin filaments in vitro exist in two populations with significantly different shrinkage rates. Newly polymerized filaments shrink rapidly, primarily from barbed ends, at 1.8/s, but as they age they switch to a stable state that shrinks slowly, primarily from pointed ends, at approximately 0.1/s. This dynamic filament stabilization runs opposite to the classical prediction that actin filaments become more unstable with age as they hydrolyze their bound ATP and release phosphate. Upon cofilin treatment, aged filaments revert to a dynamic state that shows accelerated shrinkage from both ends at a combined rate of 5.9/s. In light of recent electron microscopy studies [Orlova A, et al. (2004) Actin-destabilizing factors disrupt filaments by means of a time reversal of polymerization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:17664-17668], we propose that dynamic stabilization arises from rearrangement of the filament structure from a relatively disordered state immediately after polymerization to the canonical Holmes helix, a change that is reversed by cofilin binding. Our results suggest that plasticity in the internal structure of the actin filament may play a fundamental role in regulating actin dynamics and may help cells build actin assemblies with vastly different turnover rates.

Bending flexibility of actin filaments during motor-induced sliding

Muscle contraction and other forms of cell motility occur as a result of cyclic interactions between myosin molecules and actin filaments. Force generation is generally attributed to ATP-driven structural changes in myosin, whereas a passive role is ascribed to actin. However, some results challenge this view, predicting structural changes in actin during motor activity, e.g., when the actin filaments slide on a myosin-coated surface in vitro. Here, we analyzed statistical properties of the sliding filament paths, allowing us to detect changes of this type. It is interesting to note that evidence for substantial structural changes that led to increased bending flexibility of the filaments was found in phalloidin-stabilized, but not in phalloidin-free, actin filaments. The results are in accordance with the idea that a high-flexibility structural state of actin is a prerequisite for force production, but not the idea that a low-to-high flexibility transition of the actin filament should be an important component of the force-generating step per se. Finally, our data challenge the general view that phalloidin-stabilized filaments behave as native actin filaments in their interaction with myosin. This has important implications, since phalloidin stabilization is a routine procedure in most studies of actomyosin function.

Constitutive modeling of the stress-strain behavior of F-actin filament networks

The central role of the cytoskeleton in both healthy and diseased cellular functions makes it a compelling subject for detailed three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical modeling. Microstructural features of the cytoskeleton govern the cell's mechanical behavior in many of the regulating cellular functions including cell division, adhesion, spreading, migration, contraction, and other mechanotransductive effects which influence biochemical processes. Actin microfilaments (AF) combine to form one of the predominant cytoskeletal networks important to these biological processes. Here, the AF cytoskeletal microstructure and stress-strain behavior is modeled via a microstructurally-informed continuum mechanics approach. The force-extension behavior of the individual filaments is captured using the MacKintosh derivation of the worm-like chain (WLC) constitutive relationship for short chains where a new and direct analytical expression for the filament force as a function of filament extension is developed in this paper. The filament force-extension behavior is then used in conjunction with the Arruda-Boyce eight-chain network model to capture the 3D multiaxial stress-strain behavior of the network. The resulting 3D cytoskeletal network constitutive model provides the ability to track microstructural stretch and orientation states during 3D macroscopic stretching conditions. The non-affine nature of the network model effectively accommodates the imposed macroscopic shear strain through filament rotation and a relatively small amount of filament stretch. These characteristics enable the network model, using physically realistic material properties, to capture the initial stiffness of the AF network as well as the nonlinear strain stiffening observed at large stresses. The network model predictions compare favorably with published microrheological data of in vitro AF networks.

Modulation of actin mechanics by caldesmon and tropomyosin

The ability of cells to sense and respond to physiological forces relies on the actin cytoskeleton, a dynamic structure that can directly convert forces into biochemical signals. Because of the association of muscle actin-binding proteins (ABPs) may affect F-actin and hence cytoskeleton mechanics, we investigated the effects of several ABPs on the mechanical properties of the actin filaments. The structural interactions between ABPs and helical actin filaments can vary between interstrand interactions that bridge azimuthally adjacent actin monomers between filament strands (i.e. by molecular stapling as proposed for caldesmon) or, intrastrand interactions that reinforce axially adjacent actin monomers along strands (i.e. as in the interaction of tropomyosin with actin). Here, we analyzed thermally driven fluctuations in actin's shape to measure the flexural rigidity of actin filaments with different ABPs bound. We show that the binding of phalloidin increases the persistence length of actin by 1.9-fold. Similarly, the intrastrand reinforcement by smooth and skeletal muscle tropomyosins increases the persistence length 1.5- and 2- fold respectively. We also show that the interstrand crosslinking by the C-terminal actin-binding fragment of caldesmon, H32K, increases persistence length by 1.6-fold. While still remaining bound to actin, phosphorylation of H32K by ERK abolishes the molecular staple (Foster et al. 2004. J Biol Chem 279;53387-53394) and reduces filament rigidity to that of actin with no ABPs bound. Lastly, we show that the effect of binding both smooth muscle tropomyosin and H32K is not additive. The combination of structural and mechanical studies on ABP-actin interactions will help provide information about the biophysical mechanism of force transduction in cells.

Multiple crystal structures of actin dimers and their implications for interactions in the actin filament

Multiple crystal structures are reported of cross-linked actin dimers. Interactions that are conserved across crystal structures suggest detailed interactions that are likely to be present in F-actin filaments.

The structure of actin in its monomeric form is known at high resolution, while the structure of filamentous F-actin is only understood at considerably lower resolution. Knowing pre­cisely how the monomers of actin fit together would lead to a deeper understanding of the dynamic behavior of the actin filament. Here, a series of crystal structures of actin dimers are reported which were prepared by cross-linking in either the longitudinal or the lateral direction in the filament state. Laterally cross-linked dimers, comprised of monomers belonging to different protofilaments, are found to adopt configurations in crystals that are not related to the native structure of filamentous actin. In contrast, multiple structures of longitudinal dimers consistently reveal the same interface between monomers within a single protofilament. The re­appearance of the same longitudinal interface in multiple crystal structures adds weight to arguments that the interface visualized is similar to that in actin filaments. Highly conserved atomic interactions involving residues 199–205 and 287–291 are highlighted.

Stimulation inhibits the mobility of recycling peptidergic vesicles in astrocytes

Astrocytes are increasingly viewed as playing many roles in the integration of brain function. These cells store among other gliotransmitters also neuroactive peptides in membrane bound vesicles, the trafficking and release of which, may be changed in altered conditions, therefore affecting the physiological status of neurons. In general, peptidergic membrane-bound secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane in the process of exocytosis. Some of them are retrieved from the plasma membrane to be recycled back into the cytosol. The mobility of retrieving vesicles in astrocytes was not studied yet, however, understanding the mechanisms of such trafficking would highlight the communication paths between astrocytes and neurons. We labeled vesicles with antibodies against the vesicle atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which is stored inside secretory vesicles. ANP-vesicles in astrocytes have been proposed to enter Ca2+-dependent secretion and here we show that they are associated with synaptotagmin IV (SytIV), a regulator of exocytosis in astrocytes. Moreover, the results show that recycling ANP-vesicles are to a significant extent acidic. Their velocity (0.06+/-0.001 microm/s) is one order of magnitude lower than the velocity of vesicles trafficking to the plasma membrane (Potokar et al. (2005) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 329:678-683; Potokar et al. (2007) Traffic 8:12-20). Interestingly, ionomycin or ATP application further attenuated ANP-vesicle mobility to 0.02+/-0.002 and to 0.03+/-0.001 microm/s, respectively. In summary, the mobility of recycling peptidergic vesicles appears to be slower than the vesicle traffic to the plasma membrane and it requires an intact cytoskeleton. Physiological implications of attenuated traffic of ANP-vesicles are considered in the discussion.

Controlled aggregation of ferritin to modulate MRI relaxivity

Ferritin is an iron storage protein expressed in varying concentrations in mammalian cells. The deposition of ferric iron in the core of ferritin makes it a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, and ferritin has recently been proposed as a gene expression reporter protein for magnetic resonance imaging. To date, ferritin has been overexpressed in vivo and has been coexpressed with transferrin receptor to increase iron loading in cells. However, ferritin has a relatively low T(2) relaxivity (R(2) approximately 1 mM(-1)s(-1)) at typical magnetic field strengths and so requires high levels of expression to be detected. One way to modulate the transverse relaxivity of a superparamagnetic agent is to cause it to aggregate, thereby manipulating the magnetic field gradients through which water diffuses. In this work, it is demonstrated by computer simulation and in vitro that aggregation of ferritin can alter relaxivity. The effects of aggregate size and intraaggregate perturber spacing on R(2) are studied. Computer modeling indicates that the optimal spacing of the ferritin molecules in aggregate for increasing R(2) is 100-200 nm for a typical range of water diffusion rates. Chemical cross-linking of ferritin at 12 A spacing led to a 70% increase in R(2) compared to uncross-linked ferritin controls. To modulate ferritin aggregation in a potentially biologically relevant manner, ferritin was attached to actin and polymerized in vitro. The polymerization of ferritin-F-actin caused a 20% increase in R(2) compared to unpolymerized ferritin-G-actin. The R(2)-value was increased by another 10% by spacing the ferritin farther apart on the actin filaments. The modulation of ferritin aggregation by binding to cytoskeletal elements may be a useful strategy to make a functional reporter gene for magnetic resonance imaging.

Yeast actin with a subdomain 4 mutation (A204C) exhibits increased pointed-end critical concentration

Characterizing mutants of actin that do not polymerize will advance our understanding of the mechanism of actin polymerization and will be invaluable for the production of short F-actin structures for structural studies. To circumvent the problem of expressing dominant lethal nonpolymerizing actin in yeast, we adopted a cysteine engineering strategy. Here we report the characterization of a mutant of yeast actin, AC-actin, possessing a single pointed-end mutation, A204C. Expression of this mutant in yeast results in actin-polymerization-deficient phenotypes. When copolymerized with wild-type actin, ATP-AC-actin is incorporated into filaments. ADP-AC-actin participates in the nucleation and elongation of wild-type filaments only at very high concentrations. At low concentrations, ADP-AC-actin appears to participate only in the nucleation of wild-type filaments, suggesting that Ala-204 is involved in modulating the critical concentration of the pointed end of actin.

Molecular and structural basis for redox regulation of beta-actin

An essential consequence of growth factor-mediated signal transduction is the generation of intracellular H(2)O(2). It operates as a second messenger in the control of actin microfilament dynamics, causing rapid and dramatic changes in the morphology and motile activity of stimulated cells. Little is understood about the molecular mechanisms causing these changes in the actin system. Here, it is shown that H(2)O(2) acts directly upon several levels of this system, and some of the mechanistic effects are detailed. We describe the impact of oxidation on the polymerizability of non-muscle beta/gamma-actin and compare with that of muscle alpha-actin. Oxidation of beta/gamma-actin can cause a complete loss of polymerizability, crucially, reversible by the thioredoxin system. Further, oxidation of the actin impedes its interaction with profilin and causes depolymerization of filamentous actin. The effects of oxidation are critically dependent on the nucleotide state and the concentration of Ca(2+). We have determined the crystal structure of oxidized beta-actin to a resolution of 2.6 A. The arrangement in the crystal implies an antiparallel homodimer connected by an intermolecular disulfide bond involving cysteine 374. Our data indicate that this dimer forms under non-polymerizing and oxidizing conditions. We identify oxidation of cysteine 272 in the crystallized actin dimer, likely to a cysteine sulfinic acid. In beta/gamma-actin, this is the cysteine residue most reactive towards H(2)O(2) in solution, and we suggest plausible structural determinants for its reactivity. No other oxidative modification was obvious in the structure, highlighting the specificity of the oxidation by H(2)O(2). Possible consequences of the observed effects in a cellular context and their potential relevance are discussed.

Developing scanning probe–based nanodevices—stepping out of the laboratory into the clinic

This report focuses on nanotools based on the scanning force microscope (SFM) for imaging, measuring, and manipulating biological matter at the sub-micron scale. Because pathophysiological processes often occur at the (sub-) cellular scale, the SFM has opened the exciting possibility to spot diseases at a stage before they become symptomatic and cause functional impairments in the affected part of the body. Such presymptomatic detection will be key to developing effective therapies to slow or halt disease progression.

An actin homolog of the archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum that retains the ancient characteristics of eukaryotic actin

Actin, a central component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, plays a crucial role in determining cell shape in addition to several other functions. Recently, the structure of the archaeal actin homolog Ta0583, isolated from the archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum, which lacks a cell wall, was reported by Roeben et al. (J. Mol. Biol. 358:145-156, 2006). Here we show that Ta0583 assembles into bundles of filaments similar to those formed by eukaryotic actin. Specifically, Ta0583 forms a helix with a filament width of 5.5 nm and an axial repeating unit of 5.5 nm, both of which are comparable to those of eukaryotic actin. Eukaryotic actin shows a greater resemblance to Ta0583 than to bacterial MreB and ParM in terms of polymerization characteristics, such as the requirement for Mg(2+), critical concentration, and repeating unit size. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis also showed a closer relationship between Ta0583 and eukaryotic actin than between MreB or ParM and actin. However, the low specificity of Ta0583 for nucleotide triphosphates indicates that Ta0583 is more primitive than eukaryotic actin. Taken together, our results suggest that Ta0583 retains the ancient characteristics of eukaryotic actin.

Addition of electrophilic lipids to actin alters filament structure

Pathophysiological processes associated with oxidative stress lead to the generation of reactive lipid species. Among them, lipids bearing unsaturated aldehyde or ketone moieties can form covalent adducts with cysteine residues and modulate protein function. Through proteomic techniques we have identified actin as a target for the addition of biotinylated analogs of the cyclopentenone prostaglandins 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) and PGA(1) in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. This modification could take place in vitro and mapped to the protein C-terminal end. Other electrophilic lipids, like the isoprostane 8-iso-PGA(1) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, also bound to actin. The C-terminal region of actin is important for monomer-monomer interactions and polymerization. Electron microscopy showed that actin treated with 15d-PGJ(2) or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal formed filaments which were less abundant and displayed shorter length and altered structure. Streptavidin-gold staining allowed mapping of biotinylated 15d-PGJ(2) at sites of filament disruption. These results shed light on the structural implications of actin modification by lipid electrophiles.

Crystal structure of polymerization-competent actin

All actin crystal structures reported to date represent actin complexed or chemically modified with molecules that prevent its polymerization. Actin cleaved with ECP32 protease at a single site between Gly42 and Val43 is virtually non-polymerizable in the Ca-ATP bound form but remains polymerization-competent in the Mg-bound form. Here, a crystal structure of the true uncomplexed ECP32-cleaved actin (ECP-actin) solved to 1.9 A resolution is reported. In contrast to the much more open conformation of the ECP-actin's nucleotide binding cleft in solution, the crystal structure of uncomplexed ECP-actin contains actin in a typical closed conformation similar to the complexed actin structures. This unambiguously demonstrates that the overall structure of monomeric actin is not significantly affected by a multitude of actin-binding proteins and toxins. The invariance of actin crystal structures suggests that the salt and precipitants necessary for crystallization stabilize actin in only one of its possible conformations. The asymmetric unit cell contains a new type of antiparallel actin dimer that may correspond to the "lower dimer" implicated in F-actin nucleation and branching. In addition, symmetry-related actin-actin contacts form a head to tail dimer that is strikingly similar to the longitudinal dimer predicted by the Holmes F-actin model, including a rotation of the monomers relative to each other not observed previously in actin crystal structures.

Migration of bone marrow stromal cells in 3D: 4 Color methodology reveals spatially and temporally coordinated events

The cytoskeleton plays a central role in many cell processes including directed cell migration. Since most previous work has investigated cell migration in two dimensions (2D), new methods are required to study movement in three dimensions (3D) while preserving 3D structure of the cytoskeleton. Most previous studies have labeled two cytoskeletal networks simultaneously, impeding an appreciation of their complex and dynamic interconnections. Here we report the development of a 4 color method to simultaneously image vimentin, actin, tubulin and the nucleus for high-resolution confocal microscopy of bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) migrating through a porous membrane. Several methods were tested for structural preservation and labeling intensity resulting in identification of an optimized simultaneous fixation and permeabilization method using glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde and Triton X-100 followed by a quadruple fluorescent labeling method. This procedure was then applied at a sequence of time points to migrating cells, allowing temporal progression of migration to be assessed by visualizing all three networks plus the nucleus, providing new insights into 3D directed cell migration including processes such as leading edge structure, cytoskeletal distribution and nucleokinesis. Colocalization of actin and microtubules with distinct spatial arrangements at the cellular leading edge during migration, together with microtubule axial polarization supports recent reports indicating the pivotal role of microtubules in directed cell migration. This study also provides a foundation for 3D migration studies versus 2D studies, providing precise and robust methods to attain new insights into the cellular mechanisms of motility.

Nuclear actin extends, with no contraction in sight

Within the past two years, actin has been implicated in eukaryotic gene transcription by all three classes of RNA polymerase. Moreover, within just the past year, actin has been identified as a constituent of filaments attached to the nuclear pore complexes and extending into the nucleus. This review summarizes these and other very recent advances in the nuclear actin field and emphasizes the key present issues. On the one hand, we are confronted with a body of evidence for a role of actin in gene transcription but with no known structural basis; on the other hand, there is now evidence for polymeric actin--not likely in the classical F-actin conformation--in the nuclear periphery with no known function. In addition, numerous proteins that interact with either G- or F-actin are increasingly being detected in the nucleus, suggesting that both monomeric and oligomeric or polymeric forms of actin are at play and raising the possibility that the equilibrium between them, perhaps differentially regulated at various intranuclear sites, may be a major determinant of nuclear function.