In vitro reconstitution of microtubule plus end-directed, GTPgammaS-sensitive motility of Golgi membranes

Golgi isolation

The Golgi apparatus is a membranous organelle that modifies and packages proteins and lipids into transport carriers and sends them to the proper locations in the cell. The study of Golgi structure and function can be facilitated by the isolation of this organelle from homogenates of tissues or cells. Liver cells have abundant Golgi membranes because they actively secrete proteins and lipids; therefore, liver tissue is often the preferred source. In this protocol, Golgi membranes are purified from rat liver homogenate by two sequential sucrose gradients. The relative yield of the prepared Golgi stacks is then assessed by measuring the increase in activity of a Golgi marker enzyme, β-1,4-galactosyltransferase, over that of the total liver homogenate. A typical preparation can yield Golgi membranes that are purified 80- to 100-fold over the homogenate, and the majority (60%-70%) retain their stacked nature.

Catch-bond behaviour facilitates membrane tubulation by non-processive myosin 1b

Myosin 1b is a single-headed membrane-associated motor that binds to actin filaments with a catch-bond behaviour in response to load. In vivo, myosin 1b is required to form membrane tubules at both endosomes and the trans-Golgi network. To establish the link between these two fundamental properties, here we investigate the capacity of myosin 1b to extract membrane tubes along bundled actin filaments in a minimal reconstituted system. We show that single-headed non-processive myosin 1b can extract membrane tubes at a biologically relevant low density. In contrast to kinesins we do not observe motor accumulation at the tip, suggesting that the underlying mechanism for tube formation is different. In our theoretical model, myosin 1b catch-bond properties facilitate tube extraction under conditions of increasing membrane tension by reducing the density of myo1b required to pull tubes.

Cdc42 regulates microtubule-dependent Golgi positioning

The molecular mechanisms underlying cytoskeleton-dependent Golgi positioning are poorly understood. In mammalian cells, the Golgi apparatus is localized near the juxtanuclear centrosome via dynein-mediated motility along microtubules. Previous studies implicate Cdc42 in regulating dynein-dependent motility. Here we show that reduced expression of the Cdc42-specific GTPase-activating protein, ARHGAP21, inhibits the ability of dispersed Golgi membranes to reposition at the centrosome following nocodazole treatment and washout. Cdc42 regulation of Golgi positioning appears to involve ARF1 and a binding interaction with the vesicle-coat protein coatomer. We tested whether Cdc42 directly affects motility, as opposed to the formation of a trafficking intermediate, using a Golgi capture and motility assay in permeabilized cells. Disrupting Cdc42 activation or the coatomer/Cdc42 binding interaction stimulated Golgi motility. The coatomer/Cdc42-sensitive motility was blocked by the addition of an inhibitory dynein antibody. Together, our results reveal that dynein and microtubule-dependent Golgi positioning is regulated by ARF1-, coatomer-, and ARHGAP21-dependent Cdc42 signaling.

Direct binding of cytosolic NDP kinases to membrane lipids is regulated by nucleotides

In spite of their complete lack of any structural features that characterize membrane proteins, cytosolic nucleoside-diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) have been found repeatedly to associate with membranes. In some instances the recruitment of cytosolic NDPKs to membranes was attributed to interactions with peripheral or integral membrane proteins, but in many cases the mechanism underlying the association of NDPKs with membranes remained unknown. We show here that cytosolic NDPKs bind directly to membrane lipids in a dynamic process that is controlled by its substrates, nucleoside tri- and diphosphates, and can be fully reconstituted with chemically defined, protein-free phospholipids and recombinant NDPK, or with purified NDPK. Our results uncover a novel mechanism for the reversible targeting of soluble NDPKs to membranes, where they may act as a reservoir of high energy phosphate, supporting the operation of membrane-based processes that utilize nucleotides other than ATP, such as intracellular traffic and phospholipid biosynthesis.

PKCzeta is required for microtubule-based motility of vesicles containing the ntcp transporter

Intracellular trafficking regulates the abundance and therefore activity of transporters present at the plasma membrane. The transporter, Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (ntcp), is increased at the plasma membrane upon treatment of cells with cAMP, for which microtubules (MTs) are required and the PI3K pathway and PKCzeta have been implicated. However, trafficking of ntcp on MTs has not been demonstrated directly and the regulation and intracellular localization of ntcp is not well understood. Here, we utilize in vitro and whole-cell immunofluorescence microscopy assays to demonstrate that ntcp is present on intracellular vesicles that bind MTs and move bidirectionally, using kinesin-1 and dynein. These vesicles co-localize with markers for recycling endosomes and early but not late endosomes. They frequently undergo fission, providing a mechanism for the exclusion of ntcp from late endosomes. PI(3,4,5)P3 activates PKCzeta and enhances motility of the ntcp vesicles and overcomes the partial inhibition produced by a PI3-kinase inhibitor. Specific inhibition of PKCzeta blocks the motility of ntcp-containing vesicles but has no effect on late vesicles as shown both in vitro and in living cells transfected with ntcp-GFP. These data indicate that PKCzeta is required specifically for the intracellular movement of vesicles that contain the ntcp transporter.

DRP1A is responsible for vascular continuity synergistically working with VAN3 in Arabidopsis

In most dicotyledonous plants, vascular tissues in the leaf have a reticulate venation pattern. We have isolated and characterized an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant defective in the vascular network defective mutant, van3. van3 mutants show a discontinuous vascular pattern, and VAN3 is known to encode an ADP-ribosylation-factor-GTPase-activating protein that regulates membrane trafficking in the trans-Golgi network. To elucidate the molecular nature controlling the vein patterning process through membrane trafficking, we searched VAN3-interacting proteins using a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two hybrid system. As a result, we isolated the plant Dynamin-Related Protein 1A (DRP1A) as a VAN3 interacting protein. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of DRP1AGUS and VAN3GUS were very similar. The subcellular localization of VAN3 completely overlapped to that of DRP1A. drp1a showed a disconnected vascular network, and the drp1a mutation enhanced the phenotype of vascular discontinuity of the van3 mutant in the drp1a van3 double mutant. Furthermore, the drp1 mutation enhanced the discontinuous vascular pattern of the gnom mutant, which had the same effect as that of the van3 mutation. These results indicate that DRP1 modulates the VAN3 function in vesicle budding from the trans-Golgi network, which regulates vascular formation in Arabidopsis.

Tension in tubulovesicular networks of Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum membranes

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi have robust bidirectional traffic between them and yet form distinct membrane compartments. Membrane tubules are pulled from large aggregates of ER or Golgi by microtubule motors to form ER tubulovesicular networks or Golgi tubules both in vivo and in vitro. The physical properties of membranes are critical for membrane traffic and organelle morphology. For example, tension applied to membranes can create tethers, drive membrane flow, and set the diameter of the tubules. Here, we formed ER and Golgi membrane networks in vitro and used optical tweezers to measure directly, for the first time, the membrane tensions of these organelles to clarify the possible role of tension in membrane flow. We report that higher forces are needed to form tethers from ER (18.6 +/- 2.8 pN) than from Golgi (11.4 +/- 1.4 pN) membrane tubules in vitro. Since ER tubules are smaller in diameter than Golgi tubules, it follows that Golgi networks have a lower tension than ER. The lower tension of the ER could be an explanation of how Golgi tubules can be rapidly drawn into the ER by tension-driven flow after fusion, as is observed in vivo.

Distribution and functions of kinectin isoforms

Kinectin is an integral transmembrane protein on the endoplasmic reticulum, binding to kinesin, interacting with Rho GTPase and anchoring the translation elongation factor-1 complex. There has been debate on the specific role(s) of kinectin in different species and cell types. Here we identified 15 novel kinectin isoforms in the mouse nervous system, constituting a family of alternatively spliced carboxyl-terminal variants. Isoform expression is subject to cell type- and developmental stage-specific regulation. We raised specific antibodies to the kinectin variants to characterise their differential intracellular localisation and discovered that certain kinectin isoforms are found in axons where kinectin was previously believed to be absent. We also demonstrated in vivo by overexpression and RNA interference assay that kinectin is selectively involved in the transport of specific types of organelles. A 160 kDa kinectin species is mainly concentrated in the endoplasmic reticulum, anchored via its transmembrane domain and is essential for endoplasmic reticulum membrane extension. A 120 kDa kinectin species is specifically associated with mitochondria, and its interaction with kinesin was found to influence mitochondrial dynamics. These findings contribute to a more unified view of kinectin function. They suggest that different cellular processes use specific kinectin isoforms to mediate intracellular motility and targeting by transient interaction with different motor proteins or other binding partners.

Microtubule-dependent movement of late endocytic vesicles in vitro: requirements for Dynein and Kinesin

Our previous studies demonstrated that fluorescent early endocytic vesicles prepared from rat liver after injection of Texas red asialoorosomucoid contain asialoglycoprotein and its receptor and move and undergo fission along microtubules using kinesin I and KIFC2, with Rab4 regulating KIFC2 activity (J. Cell Sci. 116, 2749, 2003). In the current study, procedures to prepare fluorescent late endocytic vesicles were devised. In addition, flow cytometry was utilized to prepare highly purified fluorescent endocytic vesicles, permitting validation of microscopy-based experiments as well as direct biochemical analysis. These studies revealed that late vesicles bound to and moved along microtubules, but in contrast to early vesicles, did not undergo fission. As compared with early vesicles, late vesicles had reduced association with receptor, Rab4, and kinesin I but were highly associated with dynein, Rab7, dynactin, and KIF3A. Dynein and KIF3A antibodies inhibited late vesicle motility, whereas kinesin I and KIFC2 antibodies had no effect. Dynamitin antibodies prevented the association of late vesicles with microtubules. These results indicate that acquisition and exchange of specific motor and regulatory proteins characterizes and may regulate the transition of early to late endocytic vesicles. Flow cytometric purification should ultimately facilitate detailed proteomic analysis and mapping of endocytic vesicle-associated proteins.

The EF-hand Ca2+-binding protein p22 plays a role in microtubule and endoplasmic reticulum organization and dynamics with distinct Ca2+-binding requirements

We have reported that p22, an N-myristoylated EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein, associates with microtubules and plays a role in membrane trafficking. Here, we show that p22 also associates with membranes of the early secretory pathway membranes, in particular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). On binding of Ca(2+), p22's ability to associate with membranes increases in an N-myristoylation-dependent manner, which is suggestive of a nonclassical Ca(2+)-myristoyl switch mechanism. To address the intracellular functions of p22, a digitonin-based "bulk microinjection" assay was developed to load cells with anti-p22, wild-type, or mutant p22 proteins. Antibodies against a p22 peptide induce microtubule depolymerization and ER fragmentation; this antibody-mediated effect is overcome by preincubation with the respective p22 peptide. In contrast, N-myristoylated p22 induces the formation of microtubule bundles, the accumulation of ER structures along the bundles as well as an increase in ER network formation. An N-myristoylated Ca(2+)-binding p22 mutant, which is unable to undergo Ca(2+)-mediated conformational changes, induces microtubule bundling and accumulation of ER structures along the bundles but does not increase ER network formation. Together, these data strongly suggest that p22 modulates the organization and dynamics of microtubule cytoskeleton in a Ca(2+)-independent manner and affects ER network assembly in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.

Cargo-carrying motor vehicles on the neuronal highway: Transport pathways and neurodegenerative disease

Within axons vital cargoes must be transported over great distances along microtubule tracks to maintain neuronal viability. Essential to this system are the molecular motors, kinesin and dynein, which transport a variety of neuronal cargoes. Elucidating the transport pathways, the identity of the cargoes transported, and the regulation of motor-cargo complexes are areas of intense investigation. Evidence suggests that essential components, including signaling proteins, neuroprotective and repair molecules, and vesicular and cytoskeletal components are all transported. In addition newly emerging data indicate that defects in axonal transport pathways may contribute to the initiation or progression of chronic neuronal dysfunction. In this review we concentrate on microtubule-based motor proteins, their linkers, and cargoes and discuss how factors in the axonal transport pathway contribute to disease states. As additional cargo complexes and transport pathways are identified, an understanding of the role these pathways play in the development of human disease will hopefully lead to new diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Regulators of GTP-binding proteins cause morphological changes in the vacuole system of the filamentous fungus, Pisolithus tinctorius

Tubule formation is a widespread feature of the endomembrane system of eukaryotic cells, serving as an alternative to the better-known transport process of vesicular shuttling. In filamentous fungi, tubule formation by vacuoles is particularly pronounced, but little is known of its regulation. Using the hyphae of the basidiomycete Pisolithus tinctorius as our test system, we have investigated the effects of four drugs whose modulation, in animal cells, of the tubule/vesicle equilibrium is believed to be due to the altered activity of a GTP-binding protein (GTP gamma S, GDP beta S, aluminium fluoride, and Brefeldin A). In Pisolithus tinctorius, GTP gamma S, a non-hydrolysable form of GTP, strongly promoted vacuolar tubule formation in the tip cell and next four cells. The effects of GTP gamma S could be antagonised by pre-treatment of hyphae with GDP beta S, a non-phosphorylatable form of GDP. These results support the idea that a GTP-binding protein plays a regulatory role in vacuolar tubule formation. This could be a dynamin-like GTP-ase, since GTP gamma S-stimulated tubule formation has only been reported previously in cases where a dynamin is involved. Treatment with aluminium fluoride stimulated vacuolar tubule formation at a distance from the tip cell, but NaF controls indicated that this was not a GTP-binding-protein specific effect. Brefeldin A antagonised GTP gamma S, and inhibited tubule formation in the tip cell. Given that Brefeldin A also affects the ER and Golgi bodies of Pisolithus tinctorius, as shown previously, it is not clear yet whether the effects of Brefeldin A on the vacuole system are direct or indirect.

Glucosylceramide synthesis inhibitors block pharmacologically induced dispersal of the Golgi and anterograde membrane flow from the endoplasmic reticulum: implication of sphingolipid metabolism in maintenance of the Golgi architecture and anterograde membrane flow

PDMP (D,L-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol) and PPMP (D,L-threo-1-phenyl-2-hexadecanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol), inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthesis, blocked brefeldin A (BFA)- and nordihydroguaiaretic acid-induced dispersal of the Golgi and trans Golgi network, and Golgi-derived vesicles were retained in the juxtanuclear region. PDMP and PPMP did not stabilize microtubules but blocked nocodazole-induced extensive fragmentation and dispersal of the Golgi, and large Golgi vesicles were retained in the juxtanuclear region. PPMP is a stronger inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthesis than PDMP, but PDMP showed a stronger activity against BFA-induced retrograde membrane flow. However, PPMP showed a stronger activity for Golgi disruption and inhibition of anterograde trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum, and rebuilding of the Golgi architecture. Cumulatively, these results suggest that sphingolipid metabolism is implicated in maintenance of the Golgi architecture and anterograde membrane flow from the endoplasmic reticulum but not in Golgi dispersal induced by BFA.

Regulation of molecular motor proteins

Motor proteins in the kinesin, dynein, and myosin superfamilies are tightly regulated to perform multiple functions in the cell requiring force generation. Although motor proteins within families are diverse in sequence and structure, there are general mechanisms by which they are regulated. We first discuss the regulation of the subset of kinesin family members for which such information exists, and then address general mechanisms of kinesin family regulation. We review what is known about the regulation of axonemal and cytoplasmic dyneins. Recent work on cytoplasmic dynein has revealed the existence of multiple isoforms for each dynein chain, making the study of dynein regulation more complicated than previously realized. Finally, we discuss the regulation of myosins known to be involved in membrane trafficking. Myosins and kinesins may be evolutionarily related, and there are common themes of regulation between these two classes of motors.

Microtubule and motor-dependent endocytic vesicle sorting in vitro

Endocytic vesicles undergo fission to sort ligand from receptor. Using quantitative immunofluorescence and video imaging, we provide the first in vitro reconstitution of receptor-ligand sorting in early endocytic vesicles derived from rat liver. We show that to undergo fission, presegregation vesicles must bind to microtubules (MTs) and move upon addition of ATP. Over 13% of motile vesicles elongate and are capable of fission. After fission, one vesicle continues to move, whereas the other remains stationary, resulting in their separation. On average, almost 90% receptor is found in one daughter vesicle, whereas ligand is enriched by approximately 300% with respect to receptor in the other daughter vesicle. Although studies performed on polarity marked MTs showed approximately equal plus and minus end-directed motility, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that kinesins, but not dynein, were associated with these vesicles. Motility and fission were prevented by addition of 1 mM 5'-adenylylimido-diphosphate (AMP-PNP, an inhibitor of kinesins) or incubation with kinesin antibodies, but were unaffected by addition of 5 microM vanadate (a dynein inhibitor) or dynein antibodies. These studies indicate an essential role of kinesin-based MT motility in endocytic vesicle sorting, providing a system in which factors required for endocytic vesicle processing can be identified and characterized.

In vitro formation of the endoplasmic reticulum occurs independently of microtubules by a controlled fusion reaction

We have established an in vitro system for the formation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Starting from small membrane vesicles prepared from Xenopus laevis eggs, an elaborate network of membrane tubules is formed in the presence of cytosol. In the absence of cytosol, the vesicles only fuse to form large spheres. Network formation requires a ubiquitous cytosolic protein and nucleoside triphosphates, is sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide and high cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations, and proceeds via an intermediate stage in which vesicles appear to be clustered. Microtubules are not required for membrane tubule and network formation. Formation of the ER network shares significant similarities with formation of the nuclear envelope. Our results suggest that the ER network forms in a process in which cytosolic factors modify and regulate a basic reaction of membrane vesicle fusion.

Brefeldin A-dependent membrane tubule formation reconstituted in vitro is driven by a cell cycle-regulated microtubule motor

Treatment of cultured cells with brefeldin A (BFA) induces the formation of extensive membrane tubules from the Golgi apparatus, trans-Golgi network, and early endosomes in a microtubule-dependent manner. We have reconstituted this transport process in vitro using Xenopus egg cytosol and a rat liver Golgi-enriched membrane fraction. The presence of BFA results in the formation of an intricate, interconnected tubular membrane network, a process that, as in vivo, is inhibited by nocodazole, the H1 anti-kinesin monoclonal antibody, and by membrane pretreatment with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Surprisingly, membrane tubule formation is not due to the action of conventional kinesin or any of the other motors implicated in Golgi membrane dynamics. Two candidate motors of approximately 100 and approximately 130 kDa have been identified using the H1 antibody, both of which exhibit motor properties in a biochemical assay. Finally, BFA-induced membrane tubule formation does not occur in metaphase cytosol, and because membrane binding of both candidate motors is not altered after incubation in metaphase compared with interphase cytosol, these results suggest that either the ATPase or microtubule-binding activity of the relevant motor is cell cycle regulated.

Membrane trafficking, organelle transport, and the cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton-associated motor proteins typically drive organelle movements in eukaryotic cells in a manner that is tightly regulated, both spatially and temporally. In the past year, a novel organelle transport mechanism utilizing actin polymerization was described. Important advances were also made in the assignment of functions to several new motors and in our understanding of how motor proteins are regulated during organelle transport. In addition, insights were gained into how and why organelles are transported cooperatively along the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons, and into the importance of motor-mediated transport in the organization of the cytoskeleton itself.

The road less traveled: emerging principles of kinesin motor utilization

Proteins of the kinesin superfamily utilize a conserved catalytic motor domain to generate movements in a wide variety of cellular processes. In this review, we discuss the rapid expansion in our understanding of how eukaryotic cells take advantage of these proteins to generate force and movement in diverse functional contexts. We summarize several recent examples revealing that the simplest view of a kinesin motor protein binding to and translocating a cargo along a microtubule track is inadequate. In fact, this paradigm captures only a small subset of the many ways in which cells harness force production of the generation of intracellular movements and functions. We also highlight several situations where the catalytic kinesin motor domain may not be used to generate movement, but instead may be used in other biochemical and functional contexts. Finally, we review some recent ideas about kinesin motor regulation, redundancy, and cargo attachment strategies.

An anchoring factor targets protein phosphatase 2A to brain microtubules

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine phosphatase composed of a heterodimeric core enzyme that associates with a variety of regulatory subunits. A fraction of brain PP2A associates with microtubules and may play a role in regulating phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins. We examined the isoform specificity and the mechanism involved in the association of PP2A with brain microtubules. Only the R2alpha (B/PR55alpha) and R2beta (B/PR55beta) regulatory subunits associated with endogenous neural microtubules. Neither the R2gamma (B/PR55gamma) nor members of the R5 (B'/PR56) family of regulatory subunits co-sedimented with microtubules, although abundant amounts of these proteins were detected in brain. The efficient association of PP2A with microtubules in vitro was dependent on an anchoring activity present in a brain protein fraction containing microtubule-associated and microtubule-interacting proteins. Anchoring factor-dependent association of PP2A with microtubules was specific for the heterotrimeric form of PP2A. The core dimer and the isolated subunits of PP2A had very little affinity for microtubules. Characterization of a fraction enriched in the anchoring factor showed that the activity was a heat labile protein that does not correspond to classical microtubule-associated proteins. The anchoring factor associated with microtubules independently of PP2A. These results indicate the association of PP2A with microtubules can be mediated by an anchoring factor that interacts in an isoform-specific manner with heterotrimeric forms of the phosphatase.

Molecular interactions among protein phosphatase 2A, tau, and microtubules. Implications for the regulation of tau phosphorylation and the development of tauopathies

Hyperphosphorylated forms of the neuronal microtubule (MT)-associated protein tau are major components of Alzheimer's disease paired helical filaments. Previously, we reported that ABalphaC, the dominant brain isoform of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), is localized on MTs, binds directly to tau, and is a major tau phosphatase in cells. We now describe direct interactions among tau, PP2A, and MTs at the submolecular level. Using tau deletion mutants, we found that ABalphaC binds a domain on tau that is indistinguishable from its MT-binding domain. ABalphaC binds directly to MTs through a site that encompasses its catalytic subunit and is distinct from its binding site for tau, and ABalphaC and tau bind to different domains on MTs. Specific PP2A isoforms bind to MTs with distinct affinities in vitro, and these interactions differentially inhibit the ability of PP2A to dephosphorylate various substrates, including tau and tubulin. Finally, tubulin assembly decreases PP2A activity in vitro, suggesting that PP2A activity can be modulated by MT dynamics in vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate how structural interactions among ABalphaC, tau, and MTs might control the phosphorylation state of tau. Disruption of these normal interactions could contribute significantly to development of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.

Allele-specific activators and inhibitors for kinesin

Members of the kinesin superfamily are force-generating ATPases that drive movement and influence cytoskeleton organization in cells. Often, more than one kinesin is implicated in a cellular process, and many kinesins are proposed to have overlapping functions. By using conventional kinesin as a model system, we have developed an approach to activate or inhibit a specific kinesin allele in the presence of other similar motor proteins. Modified ATP analogs are described that do not activate either conventional kinesin or another superfamily member, Eg5. However, a kinesin allele with Arg-14 in its nucleotide binding pocket mutated to alanine can use a subset of these nucleotide analogs to drive microtubule gliding. Cyclopentyl-ATP is one such analog. Cyclopentyl-adenylylimidodiphosphate, a nonhydrolyzable form of this analog, inhibits the mutant allele in microtubule-gliding assays, but not wild-type kinesin or Eg5. We anticipate that the incorporation of kinesin mutants and allele-specific activators and inhibitors in in vitro assays should clarify the role of individual motor proteins in complex cellular processes.

Membrane motors

Research over the past 18 months has revealed that many membranous organelles move along both actin filaments and microtubules. It is highly likely that the activity of the microtubule motors, myosins and static linker proteins present on any organelle are co-ordinately regulated and that this control is linked to the processes of membrane traffic itself.

Microtubule-based endoplasmic reticulum motility in Xenopus laevis: activation of membrane-associated kinesin during development

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in animal cells uses microtubule motor proteins to adopt and maintain its extended, reticular organization. Although the orientation of microtubules in many somatic cell types predicts that the ER should move toward microtubule plus ends, motor-dependent ER motility reconstituted in extracts of Xenopus laevis eggs is exclusively a minus end-directed, cytoplasmic dynein-driven process. We have used Xenopus egg, embryo, and somatic Xenopus tissue culture cell (XTC) extracts to study ER motility during embryonic development in Xenopus by video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy. Our results demonstrate that cytoplasmic dynein is the sole motor for microtubule-based ER motility throughout the early stages of development (up to at least the fifth embryonic interphase). When egg-derived ER membranes were incubated in somatic XTC cytosol, however, ER tubules moved in both directions along microtubules. Data from directionality assays suggest that plus end-directed ER tubule extensions contribute approximately 19% of the total microtubule-based ER motility under these conditions. In XTC extracts, the rate of ER tubule extensions toward microtubule plus ends is lower ( approximately 0.4 microm/s) than minus end-directed motility ( approximately 1.3 microm/s), and plus end-directed motility is eliminated by a function-blocking anti-conventional kinesin heavy chain antibody (SUK4). In addition, we provide evidence that the initiation of plus end-directed ER motility in somatic cytosol is likely to occur via activation of membrane-associated kinesin.

In vitro approaches to study actin and microtubule dependent cell processes

Actin and microtubules represent complex polymer systems that play essential roles during many cellular processes including chromosome segregation, cytokinesis and motility. The dynamic nature of actin and microtubules together with their regulation by a myriad of proteins makes their study both fascinating and challenging. Over the past few years there has been an increasing move towards development of in vitro systems to facilitate the elucidation of the molecular basis of actin and microtubule dependent cell processes. This review focuses on some of the recent developments using in vitro assays to dissect the cellular role of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton.