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Alonso-Eiras J, Anton IM. Multifaceted role of the actin-binding protein WIP: Promotor and inhibitor of tumor progression and dissemination. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 39329352 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells depend on actin cytoskeleton reorganization to achieve hallmark malignant functions including abnormal activation, proliferation, migration and invasiveness. (Neural)-Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein ((N-)WASP) binds actin and forms a complex with the WASP-interacting protein (WIP), which plays a critical role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton, through (N)-WASP-dependent and independent functions. Mutations in the WIP gene (WIPF1) lead to severe early onset immunodeficiency in humans and severe autoimmunity and shortened lifespan in mice. This review covers the available evidence about the physiological role of WIP in different tissues and its contribution to human disease, focusing on cancer. In solid tumors overexpression of WIP has mostly been associated with tumor initiation, progression and dissemination through matrix degradation by invadopodia, while a suppressive function has been shown for WIP in certain hematological cancers. Interestingly, a minority of studies suggest a protective role for WIP in specific tumor contexts. These data support the need for further research to fully understand the mechanisms underlying WIP's diverse functions in health and disease and raise important questions for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Alonso-Eiras
- Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Másteres Oficiales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines M Anton
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Lacoste J, Haghighi M, Haider S, Reno C, Lin ZY, Segal D, Qian WW, Xiong X, Teelucksingh T, Miglietta E, Shafqat-Abbasi H, Ryder PV, Senft R, Cimini BA, Murray RR, Nyirakanani C, Hao T, McClain GG, Roth FP, Calderwood MA, Hill DE, Vidal M, Yi SS, Sahni N, Peng J, Gingras AC, Singh S, Carpenter AE, Taipale M. Pervasive mislocalization of pathogenic coding variants underlying human disorders. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)01021-3. [PMID: 39353438 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Widespread sequencing has yielded thousands of missense variants predicted or confirmed as disease causing. This creates a new bottleneck: determining the functional impact of each variant-typically a painstaking, customized process undertaken one or a few genes and variants at a time. Here, we established a high-throughput imaging platform to assay the impact of coding variation on protein localization, evaluating 3,448 missense variants of over 1,000 genes and phenotypes. We discovered that mislocalization is a common consequence of coding variation, affecting about one-sixth of all pathogenic missense variants, all cellular compartments, and recessive and dominant disorders alike. Mislocalization is primarily driven by effects on protein stability and membrane insertion rather than disruptions of trafficking signals or specific interactions. Furthermore, mislocalization patterns help explain pleiotropy and disease severity and provide insights on variants of uncertain significance. Our publicly available resource extends our understanding of coding variation in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lacoste
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Shahan Haider
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chloe Reno
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhen-Yuan Lin
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dmitri Segal
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wesley Wei Qian
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Xueting Xiong
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tanisha Teelucksingh
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Pearl V Ryder
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Senft
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Beth A Cimini
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ryan R Murray
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chantal Nyirakanani
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tong Hao
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory G McClain
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frederick P Roth
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Calderwood
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David E Hill
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc Vidal
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Stephen Yi
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs (ILSGP), College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Quantitative and Computational Biosciences Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jian Peng
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Mikko Taipale
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Paul M, Hong F, Falet H, Kim H. Gelsolin controls the release of phosphatidylserine (PS)-positive microvesicles (MVs) from platelets. Cell Signal 2024; 124:111433. [PMID: 39321905 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Upon activation by vascular injury or extracellular agonists, platelets undergo rapid change shape, a process regulated by the actin cytoskeleton and accessory proteins. Platelet shape change is accompanied by the secretion of hemostatic factors and immunomodulatory cytokines from their intracellular granules, as well as the release of microvesicles (MVs) containing pro-inflammatory cytokines and procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS). However, the role of actin dynamics in MV generation remains unclear. In this study, we found that blocking actin polymerization with cytochalasin D attenuated the release of PS-positive MVs in human platelets stimulated by thrombin or the calcium ionophore A23187. The actin-severing protein gelsolin (Gsn) facilitates normal actin filament turnover in activated platelets. Platelets from Gsn-deficient (Gsn-/-) mice showed reduced MV release compared to platelets from control mice. These findings indicate that the proper dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton are essential for MV generation in platelets, which has implications for their pro-inflammatory and procoagulant functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Paul
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Felix Hong
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hervé Falet
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Hugh Kim
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Barrie KR, Rebowski G, Dominguez R. Mechanism of Actin Filament Severing and Capping by Gelsolin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.10.612341. [PMID: 39345426 PMCID: PMC11430012 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.10.612341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Gelsolin is the prototypical member of a family of Ca 2+ -dependent F-actin severing and capping proteins. A structure of Ca 2+ -bound full-length gelsolin at the barbed end shows domains G1G6 and the inter-domain linkers wrapping around F-actin. Another structure shows domains G1G3, a fragment produced during apoptosis, on both sides of F-actin. Conformational changes that trigger severing occur on one side of F-actin with G1G6 and on both sides with G1G3. Gelsolin remains bound after severing, blocking subunit exchange.
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Demosthene B, Kravchuk P, Harmon CL, Kalae A, Kang EH. Small organic osmolytes accelerate actin filament assembly and stiffen filaments. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 39276026 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
Actin filament assembly and mechanics are crucial for maintenance of cell structure, motility, and division. Actin filament assembly occurs in a crowded intracellular environment consisting of various types of molecules, including small organic molecules known as osmolytes. Ample evidence highlights the protective functions of osmolytes such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), including their effects on protein stability and their ability to counteract cellular osmotic stress. Yet, how TMAO affects individual actin filament assembly dynamics and mechanics is not well understood. We hypothesize that, owing to its protective nature, TMAO will enhance filament dynamics and stiffen actin filaments due to increased stability. In this study, we investigate osmolyte-dependent actin filament assembly and bending mechanics by measuring filament elongation rates, steady-state filament lengths, and bending persistence lengths in the presence of TMAO using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and pyrene assays. Our results demonstrate that TMAO increases filament elongation rates as well as steady-state average filament lengths, and enhances filament bending stiffness. Together, these results will help us understand how small organic osmolytes modulate cytoskeletal protein assembly and mechanics in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Demosthene
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Pavlo Kravchuk
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Connor L Harmon
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Abdulrazak Kalae
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Ellen H Kang
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Limatola N, Chun JT, Schmitt JL, Lehn JM, Santella L. The Effect of Synthetic Polyamine BPA-C8 on the Fertilization Process of Intact and Denuded Sea Urchin Eggs. Cells 2024; 13:1477. [PMID: 39273047 PMCID: PMC11394060 DOI: 10.3390/cells13171477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Sea urchin eggs are covered with layers of extracellular matrix, namely, the vitelline layer (VL) and jelly coat (JC). It has been shown that sea urchin eggs' JC components serve as chemoattractants or ligands for the receptor on the fertilizing sperm to promote the acrosome reaction. Moreover, the egg's VL provides receptors for conspecific sperm to bind, and, to date, at least two sperm receptors have been identified on the surface of sea urchin eggs. Interestingly, however, according to our previous work, denuded sea urchin eggs devoid of the JC and VL do not fail to become fertilized by sperm. Instead, they are bound and penetratedby multiple sperm, raising the possibility that an alternative pathway independent of the VL-residing sperm receptor may be at work. In this research, we studied the roles of the JC and VL using intact and denuded eggs and the synthetic polyamine BPA-C8. BPA-C8 is known to bind to the negatively charged macromolecular complexes in the cells, such as the JC, VL, and the plasma membrane of echinoderm eggs, as well as to the actin filaments in fibroblasts. Our results showed that, when added to seawater, BPA-C8 significantly repressed the Ca2+ wave in the intact P. lividus eggs at fertilization. In eggs deprived of the VL and JC, BPA-C8 binds to the plasma membrane and increases fibrous structures connecting microvilli, thereby allowing the denuded eggs to revert towards monospermy at fertilization. However, the reduced Ca2+ signal in denuded eggs was nullified compared to the intact eggs because removing the JC and VL already decreased the Ca2+ wave. BPA-C8 does not cross the VL and the cell membrane of unfertilized sea urchin eggs to diffuse into the cytoplasm at variance with the fibroblasts. Indeed, the jasplakinolide-induced polymerization of subplasmalemmal actin filaments was inhibited in the eggs microinjected with BPA-C8, but not in the ones bath-incubated with the same dose of BPA-C8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Limatola
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jong Tai Chun
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jean-Louis Schmitt
- Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry, Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires ISIS, Université de Strasbourg, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Marie Lehn
- Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry, Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires ISIS, Université de Strasbourg, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Luigia Santella
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
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Pimm ML, Haarer BK, Nobles AD, Haney LM, Marcin AG, Alcaide Eligio M, Henty-Ridilla JL. Coordination of actin plus-end dynamics by IQGAP1, formin, and capping protein. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202305065. [PMID: 38787349 PMCID: PMC11117073 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202305065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell processes require precise regulation of actin polymerization that is mediated by plus-end regulatory proteins. Detailed mechanisms that explain plus-end dynamics involve regulators with opposing roles, including factors that enhance assembly, e.g., the formin mDia1, and others that stop growth (capping protein, CP). We explore IQGAP1's roles in regulating actin filament plus-ends and the consequences of perturbing its activity in cells. We confirm that IQGAP1 pauses elongation and interacts with plus ends through two residues (C756 and C781). We directly visualize the dynamic interplay between IQGAP1 and mDia1, revealing that IQGAP1 displaces the formin to influence actin assembly. Using four-color TIRF, we show that IQGAP1's displacement activity extends to formin-CP "decision complexes," promoting end-binding protein turnover at plus-ends. Loss of IQGAP1 or its plus-end activities disrupts morphology and migration, emphasizing its essential role. These results reveal a new role for IQGAP1 in promoting protein turnover on filament ends and provide new insights into how plus-end actin assembly is regulated in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L. Pimm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Brian K. Haarer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Alexander D. Nobles
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Laura M. Haney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra G. Marcin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Marcela Alcaide Eligio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Jessica L. Henty-Ridilla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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Remsburg CM, Konrad KD, Testa MD, Stepicheva N, Lee K, Choe LH, Polson S, Bhavsar J, Huang H, Song JL. miR-31-mediated local translation at the mitotic spindle is important for early development. Development 2024; 151:dev202619. [PMID: 39250531 PMCID: PMC11423917 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
miR-31 is a highly conserved microRNA that plays crucial roles in cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. We discovered that miR-31 and some of its validated targets are enriched on the mitotic spindle of the dividing sea urchin embryo and mammalian cells. Using the sea urchin embryo, we found that miR-31 inhibition led to developmental delay correlated with increased cytoskeletal and chromosomal defects. We identified miR-31 to directly suppress several actin remodeling transcripts, including β-actin, Gelsolin, Rab35 and Fascin. De novo translation of Fascin occurs at the mitotic spindle of sea urchin embryos and mammalian cells. Importantly, miR-31 inhibition leads to a significant a increase of newly translated Fascin at the spindle of dividing sea urchin embryos. Forced ectopic localization of Fascin transcripts to the cell membrane and translation led to significant developmental and chromosomal segregation defects, highlighting the importance of the regulation of local translation by miR-31 at the mitotic spindle to ensure proper cell division. Furthermore, miR-31-mediated post-transcriptional regulation at the mitotic spindle may be an evolutionarily conserved regulatory paradigm of mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Remsburg
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Kalin D Konrad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michael D Testa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Nadezda Stepicheva
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Kelvin Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Leila H Choe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Shawn Polson
- Department of Computer and Informational Sciences; Plant & Soil Sciences; Biological Sciences, CBCB Bioinformatics Core Facility; Bioinformatics, Healthcare Informatics, and Data Science Network of Delaware, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Jaysheel Bhavsar
- Department of Computer and Informational Sciences, University of Delaware, DE 19716, USA
| | - Hongzhan Huang
- Department of Computer and Informational Sciences, University of Delaware, DE 19716, USA
| | - Jia L Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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Paul M, Hong F, Falet H, Kim H. Gelsolin regulates receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis in platelets. J Thromb Haemost 2024; 22:2601-2607. [PMID: 38777258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2024.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocytosis is the process by which platelets incorporate extracellular molecules into their secretory granules. Endocytosis is mediated by the actin cytoskeleton in nucleated cells; however, the endocytic mechanisms in platelets are undefined. OBJECTIVES To better understand platelet endocytosis, we studied gelsolin (Gsn), an actin-severing protein that promotes actin assembly. METHODS Mouse platelets from Gsn-null (Gsn-/-) and wild-type (WT) controls were used. The uptake of fluorescent cargo molecules was compared as a measure of their endocytic efficiency. Receptor-mediated endocytosis was measured by the uptake of fibrinogen and transferrin; fluid-phase endocytosis was monitored by the uptake of fluorescent dextrans. RESULTS Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated WT platelets readily internalized both receptor-mediated and fluid-phase cargoes. In contrast, Gsn-/- platelets showed a severe defect in the endocytosis of both types of cargo. The treatment of WT platelets with the actin-disrupting drugs cytochalasin D and jasplakinolide also reduced endocytosis. Notably, the individual and combined effects of Gsn deletion and drug treatment were similar for both receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis, indicating that Gsn mediates endocytosis via its action on the actin cytoskeleton. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that Gsn plays a key role in the uptake of bioactive mediators by platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Paul
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Felix Hong
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hervé Falet
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hugh Kim
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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10
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Osega CE, Bustos FJ, Arriagada G. From Entry to the Nucleus: How Retroviruses Commute. Annu Rev Virol 2024; 11:89-104. [PMID: 38848600 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-100422-023502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Once inside host cells, retroviruses generate a double-stranded DNA copy of their RNA genomes via reverse transcription inside a viral core, and this viral DNA is subsequently integrated into the genome of the host cell. Before integration can occur, the core must cross the cell cortex, be transported through the cytoplasm, and enter the nucleus. Retroviruses have evolved different mechanisms to accomplish this journey. This review examines the various mechanisms retroviruses, especially HIV-1, have evolved to commute throughout the cell. Retroviruses cross the cell cortex while modulating actin dynamics and use microtubules as roads while connecting with microtubule-associated proteins and motors to reach the nucleus. Although a clearer picture exists for HIV-1 compared with other retroviruses, there is still much to learn about how retroviruses accomplish their commute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila E Osega
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;
| | - Fernando J Bustos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;
| | - Gloria Arriagada
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;
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11
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Li Q, Huang Y, Zhang S, Gong F, Lu G, Lin G, Dai J. Homozygous ACTL9 mutations cause irregular mitochondrial sheath arrangement and abnormal flagellum assembly in spermatozoa and male infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:2271-2278. [PMID: 38963606 PMCID: PMC11405356 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03171-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify novel variants in ACTL9 and new phenotypes responsible for male infertility. METHODS Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples for whole-exome sequencing (WES). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to test the motility of spermatozoa. The ultrastructure of flagella and the mitochondrial sheath were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunostaining was used to validate the localization and expression of ACTL9 and ACTL7A. An Actl9-mutated mouse model was used to validate the phenotypes by CASA and TEM. RESULTS We identified novel homozygous variants in ACTL9 in two independent Chinese families. Spermatozoa with ACTL9 mutations showed decreased CASA parameters and a higher proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology, exhibiting coiled flagella and a thickened midpiece. The spermatozoa were characterized by chaotic or irregular '9+2' structures and irregular mitochondrial sheath arrangements in the flagellum. Actl9 knock-in mice also showed abnormal CASA parameters and irregular '9+2' structures in flagella. CONCLUSIONS Our study expands the mutation spectrum and phenotypic spectrum of ACTL9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Yilian Huang
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Shen Zhang
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, 410078, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, 410078, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, 410078, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, 410078, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, 410078, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410078, China.
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12
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Müller C, Oliveira-Ferrer L, Müller V, Schmalfeldt B, Windhorst S. Transcriptome-based identification of key actin-binding proteins associated with high metastatic potential in breast cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1440276. [PMID: 39281318 PMCID: PMC11392851 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1440276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Actin-binding proteins (ABPs) are essential for the regulation of morphological plasticity required for tumor cells to metastasize. The aim of this study was to perform an unbiased bioinformatic approach to identify the key ABPs significantly associated with the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. Methods Microarray data from 181 primary breast cancer samples from our hospital were used, and all genes belonging to the Gene Ontology term actin cytoskeleton organization were obtained from QuickGO. Association with metastasis-free survival probability was tested using Cox proportional hazards regression, and pairwise co-expression was tested by Pearson correlations. Differential expression between different subgroups was analyzed using Wilcoxon tests for dichotomous traits and Kruskal-Wallis tests for categorical traits. Validation was performed using four publicly available breast cancer datasets. Results ARHGAP25 was significantly associated with a low metastatic potential, and CFL1, TMSB15A, and ACTL8 were significantly associated with a high metastatic potential. A significantly higher expression of CFL1, TMSB15A, and ACTL8 mRNA was found in the more aggressive Her2-positive and triple-negative subtypes as well as in ER-negative samples. Also, these genes were co-expressed in the same tumors. However, only mRNA levels of CFL1 were increased in pN1 compared to pN0 patients. External validation revealed that CFL1 and TMSB15A had significant associations with consistent hazard ratios in two breast cancer cohorts, and among these, CFL1 exhibited the highest hazard ratios. Conclusion CFL1 showed the strongest correlation with the metastatic potential of breast tumors. Thus, targeted inhibition of CFL1 might be a promising approach to treat malignant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Schmalfeldt
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Windhorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Du L, Hou YN, Fu DD, Li J, Ao J, Ma AX, Wan QQ, Wang ZG, Liu SL, Zhang LJ, Pang DW. Revealing Different Pathways for Influenza A Virus To Reach Microtubules after Endocytosis by Quantum Dot-Based Single-Virus Tracking. ACS NANO 2024; 18:23090-23103. [PMID: 39143650 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c05261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Actin- and microtubule (MT)-based transport systems are essential for intracellular transport. During influenza A virus (IAV) infection, MTs provide long tracks for virus trafficking toward the nucleus. However, the role of the actin cytoskeleton in IAV entry and especially the transit process is still ambiguous. Here, by using quantum dot-based single-virus tracking, it was revealed that the actin cytoskeleton was crucial for the virus entry via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). After entry via CME, the virus reached MTs through three different pathways: the virus (1) was driven by myosin VI to move along actin filaments to reach MTs (AF); (2) was propelled by actin tails assembled by an Arp2/3-dependent mechanism to reach MTs (AT); and (3) directly reached MTs without experiencing actin-related movement (NA). Therefore, the NA pathway was the main one and the fastest for the virus to reach MTs. The AT pathway was activated only when plenty of viruses entered the cell. The viruses transported by the AF and AT pathways shared similar moving velocities, durations, and displacements. This study comprehensively visualized the role of the actin cytoskeleton in IAV entry and transport, revealing different pathways for IAV to reach MTs after entry. The results are of great significance for globally understanding IAV infection and the cellular endocytic transport pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Du
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Ning Hou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Dan-Dan Fu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Jian Ao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Xin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
| | - Qian-Qian Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
| | - Li-Juan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, P.R. China
| | - Dai-Wen Pang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
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14
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Nieto-Fabregat F, Lenza MP, Marseglia A, Di Carluccio C, Molinaro A, Silipo A, Marchetti R. Computational toolbox for the analysis of protein-glycan interactions. Beilstein J Org Chem 2024; 20:2084-2107. [PMID: 39189002 PMCID: PMC11346309 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.20.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-glycan interactions play pivotal roles in numerous biological processes, ranging from cellular recognition to immune response modulation. Understanding the intricate details of these interactions is crucial for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological conditions. Computational techniques have emerged as powerful tools that can help in drawing, building and visualising complex biomolecules and provide insights into their dynamic behaviour at atomic and molecular levels. This review provides an overview of the main computational tools useful for studying biomolecular systems, particularly glycans, both in free state and in complex with proteins, also with reference to the principles, methodologies, and applications of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Herein, we focused on the programs that are generally employed for preparing protein and glycan input files to execute molecular dynamics simulations and analyse the corresponding results. The presented computational toolbox represents a valuable resource for researchers studying protein-glycan interactions and incorporates advanced computational methods for building, visualising and predicting protein/glycan structures, modelling protein-ligand complexes, and analyse MD outcomes. Moreover, selected case studies have been reported to highlight the importance of computational tools in studying protein-glycan systems, revealing the capability of these tools to provide valuable insights into the binding kinetics, energetics, and structural determinants that govern specific molecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Nieto-Fabregat
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Lenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Angela Marseglia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Carluccio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
| | - Roberta Marchetti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Italy
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15
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Shen X, Wang C, Zhou X, Zhou W, Hornburg D, Wu S, Snyder MP. Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging. NATURE AGING 2024:10.1038/s43587-024-00692-2. [PMID: 39143318 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Aging is a complex process associated with nearly all diseases. Understanding the molecular changes underlying aging and identifying therapeutic targets for aging-related diseases are crucial for increasing healthspan. Although many studies have explored linear changes during aging, the prevalence of aging-related diseases and mortality risk accelerates after specific time points, indicating the importance of studying nonlinear molecular changes. In this study, we performed comprehensive multi-omics profiling on a longitudinal human cohort of 108 participants, aged between 25 years and 75 years. The participants resided in California, United States, and were tracked for a median period of 1.7 years, with a maximum follow-up duration of 6.8 years. The analysis revealed consistent nonlinear patterns in molecular markers of aging, with substantial dysregulation occurring at two major periods occurring at approximately 44 years and 60 years of chronological age. Distinct molecules and functional pathways associated with these periods were also identified, such as immune regulation and carbohydrate metabolism that shifted during the 60-year transition and cardiovascular disease, lipid and alcohol metabolism changes at the 40-year transition. Overall, this research demonstrates that functions and risks of aging-related diseases change nonlinearly across the human lifespan and provides insights into the molecular and biological pathways involved in these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Shen
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chuchu Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wenyu Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Hornburg
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Si Wu
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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16
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Lin L, Dong J, Xu S, Xiao J, Yu C, Niu F, Wei Z. Autoinhibition and relief mechanisms for MICAL monooxygenases in F-actin disassembly. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6824. [PMID: 39122694 PMCID: PMC11315924 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
MICAL proteins represent a unique family of actin regulators crucial for synapse development, membrane trafficking, and cytokinesis. Unlike classical actin regulators, MICALs catalyze the oxidation of specific residues within actin filaments to induce robust filament disassembly. The potent activity of MICALs requires tight control to prevent extensive damage to actin cytoskeleton. However, the molecular mechanism governing MICALs' activity regulation remains elusive. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of MICAL1 in the autoinhibited state, unveiling a head-to-tail interaction that allosterically blocks enzymatic activity. The structure also reveals the assembly of C-terminal domains via a tripartite interdomain interaction, stabilizing the inhibitory conformation of the RBD. Our structural, biochemical, and cellular analyses elucidate a multi-step mechanism to relieve MICAL1 autoinhibition in response to the dual-binding of two Rab effectors, revealing its intricate activity regulation mechanisms. Furthermore, our mutagenesis study of MICAL3 suggests the conserved autoinhibition and relief mechanisms among MICALs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leishu Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayuan Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shun Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinman Xiao
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Cong Yu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengfeng Niu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhiyi Wei
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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17
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Gao H, Huang X, Chen W, Feng Z, Zhao Z, Li P, Tan C, Wang J, Zhuang Q, Gao Y, Min S, Yao Q, Qian M, Ma X, Wu F, Yan W, Sheng W, Huang G. Association of copy number variation in X chromosome-linked PNPLA4 with heterotaxy and congenital heart disease. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1823-1834. [PMID: 38973237 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000003192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterotaxy (HTX) is a thoracoabdominal organ anomaly syndrome and commonly accompanied by congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to analyze rare copy number variations (CNVs) in a HTX/CHD cohort and to examine the potential mechanisms contributing to HTX/CHD. METHODS Chromosome microarray analysis was used to identify rare CNVs in a cohort of 120 unrelated HTX/CHD patients, and available samples from parents were used to confirm the inheritance pattern. Potential candidate genes in CNVs region were prioritized via the DECIPHER database, and PNPLA4 was identified as the leading candidate gene. To validate, we generated PNPLA4 -overexpressing human induced pluripotent stem cell lines as well as pnpla4 -overexpressing zebrafish model, followed by a series of transcriptomic, biochemical and cellular analyses. RESULTS Seventeen rare CNVs were identified in 15 of the 120 HTX/CHD patients (12.5%). Xp22.31 duplication was one of the inherited CNVs identified in this HTX/CHD cohort, and PNPLA4 in the Xp22.31 was a candidate gene associated with HTX/CHD. PNPLA4 is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm, which is known to be critical for left/right embryonic patterning as well as cardiomyocyte differentiation, and in the neural crest cell lineage. Through a series of in vivo and in vitro analyses at the molecular and cellular levels, we revealed that the biological function of PNPLA4 is importantly involved in the primary cilia formation and function via its regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondria-mediated ATP production. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated a significant association between CNVs and HTX/CHD. Our data strongly suggested that an increased genetic dose of PNPLA4 due to Xp22.31 duplication is a disease-causing risk factor for HTX/CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xianghui Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Xiamen Children's Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian 361006, China
| | - Weicheng Chen
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Zhiyu Feng
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Zhengshan Zhao
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Ping Li
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Chaozhong Tan
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jinxin Wang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Quannan Zhuang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Shaojie Min
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Qinyu Yao
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Maoxiang Qian
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Feizhen Wu
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Weili Yan
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
- Research Unit of Early Intervention of Genetically Related Childhood Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Wei Sheng
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Xiamen Children's Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian 361006, China
- Research Unit of Early Intervention of Genetically Related Childhood Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Guoying Huang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Xiamen Children's Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian 361006, China
- Research Unit of Early Intervention of Genetically Related Childhood Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 201102, China
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18
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Gallo G. The Axonal Actin Filament Cytoskeleton: Structure, Function, and Relevance to Injury and Degeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:5646-5664. [PMID: 38216856 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Early investigations of the neuronal actin filament cytoskeleton gave rise to the notion that, although growth cones exhibit high levels of actin filaments, the axon shaft exhibits low levels of actin filaments. With the development of new tools and imaging techniques, the axonal actin filament cytoskeleton has undergone a renaissance and is now an active field of research. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about the actin cytoskeleton of the axon shaft. The best understood forms of actin filament organization along axons are axonal actin patches and a submembranous system of rings that endow the axon with protrusive competency and structural integrity, respectively. Additional forms of actin filament organization along the axon have also been described and their roles are being elucidated. Extracellular signals regulate the axonal actin filament cytoskeleton and our understanding of the signaling mechanisms involved is being elaborated. Finally, recent years have seen advances in our perspective on how the axonal actin cytoskeleton is impacted by, and contributes to, axon injury and degeneration. The work to date has opened new venues and future research will undoubtedly continue to provide a richer understanding of the axonal actin filament cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Gallo
- Department of Neural Sciences, Shriners Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 North Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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19
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Aydin F, Katkar HH, Morganthaler A, Harker AJ, Kovar DR, Voth GA. Prediction of the essential intermolecular contacts for side-binding of VASP on F-actin. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:382-392. [PMID: 38647032 PMCID: PMC11333183 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) family proteins play a crucial role in mediating the actin network architecture in the cytoskeleton. The Ena/VASP homology 2 (EVH2) domain in each of the four identical arms of the tetrameric VASP consists of a loading poly-Pro region, a G-actin-binding domain (GAB), and an F-actin-binding domain (FAB). Together, the poly-Pro, GAB, and FAB domains allow VASP to bind to sides of actin filaments in a bundle, and recruit profilin-G-actin to processively elongate the filaments. The atomic resolution structure of the ternary complex, consisting of the loading poly-Pro region and GAB domain of VASP with profilin-actin, has been solved over a decade ago; however, a detailed structure of the FAB-F-actin complex has not been resolved to date. Experimental insights, based on homology of the FAB domain with the C region of WASP, have been used to hypothesize that the FAB domain binds to the cleft between subdomains 1 and 3 of F-actin. Here, in order to develop our understanding of the VASP-actin complex, we first augment known structural information about the GAB domain binding to actin with the missing FAB domain-actin structure, which we predict using homology modeling and docking simulations. In earlier work, we used mutagenesis and kinetic modeling to study the role of domain-level binding-unbinding kinetics of Ena/VASP on actin filaments in a bundle, specifically on the side of actin filaments. We further look at the nature of the side-binding of the FAB domain of VASP at the atomistic level using our predicted structure, and tabulate effective mutation sites on the FAB domain that would disrupt the VASP-actin complex. We test the binding affinity of Ena with mutated FAB domain using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy experiments. The binding affinity of VASP is affected significantly for the mutant, providing additional support for our predicted structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikret Aydin
- Department of Chemistry, The James Franck Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Harshwardhan H. Katkar
- Department of Chemistry, The James Franck Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Alisha Morganthaler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Alyssa J. Harker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - David R. Kovar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Gregory A. Voth
- Department of Chemistry, The James Franck Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
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20
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Mukadum F, Ccoa WJP, Hocky GM. Molecular simulation approaches to probing the effects of mechanical forces in the actin cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:318-327. [PMID: 38334204 PMCID: PMC11310368 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
In this article we give our perspective on the successes and promise of various molecular and coarse-grained simulation approaches to probing the effect of mechanical forces in the actin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemah Mukadum
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | | | - Glen M. Hocky
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry, New York, NY 10003, USA
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21
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Daly ML, Nishi K, Klawa SJ, Hinton KY, Gao Y, Freeman R. Designer peptide-DNA cytoskeletons regulate the function of synthetic cells. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1229-1239. [PMID: 38654104 PMCID: PMC11322001 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01509-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The bottom-up engineering of artificial cells requires a reconfigurable cytoskeleton that can organize at distinct locations and dynamically modulate its structural and mechanical properties. Here, inspired by the vast array of actin-binding proteins and their ability to reversibly crosslink or bundle filaments, we have designed a library of peptide-DNA crosslinkers varying in length, valency and geometry. Peptide filaments conjoint through DNA hybridization give rise to tactoid-shaped bundles with tunable aspect ratios and mechanics. When confined in cell-sized water-in-oil droplets, the DNA crosslinker design guides the localization of cytoskeletal structures at the cortex or within the lumen of the synthetic cells. The tunable spatial arrangement regulates the passive diffusion of payloads within the droplets and complementary DNA handles allow for the reversible recruitment and release of payloads on and off the cytoskeleton. Heat-induced reconfiguration of peptide-DNA architectures triggers shape deformations of droplets, regulated by DNA melting temperatures. Altogether, the modular design of peptide-DNA architectures is a powerful strategy towards the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Daly
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kengo Nishi
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen J Klawa
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kameryn Y Hinton
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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22
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Palmer NJ, Barrie KR, Dominguez R. Mechanisms of actin filament severing and elongation by formins. Nature 2024; 632:437-442. [PMID: 38843827 PMCID: PMC11375965 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07637-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Humans express 15 formins that play crucial roles in actin-based processes, including cytokinesis, cell motility and mechanotransduction1,2. However, the lack of structures bound to the actin filament (F-actin) has been a major impediment to understanding formin function. Whereas formins are known for their ability to nucleate and elongate F-actin3-7, some formins can additionally depolymerize, sever or bundle F-actin. Two mammalian formins, inverted formin 2 (INF2) and diaphanous 1 (DIA1, encoded by DIAPH1), exemplify this diversity. INF2 shows potent severing activity but elongates weakly8-11 whereas DIA1 has potent elongation activity but does not sever4,8. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) we show five structural states of INF2 and two of DIA1 bound to the middle and barbed end of F-actin. INF2 and DIA1 bind differently to these sites, consistent with their distinct activities. The formin-homology 2 and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-homology 2 (FH2 and WH2, respectively) domains of INF2 are positioned to sever F-actin, whereas DIA1 appears unsuited for severing. These structures also show how profilin-actin is delivered to the fast-growing barbed end, and how this is followed by a transition of the incoming monomer into the F-actin conformation and the release of profilin. Combined, the seven structures presented here provide step-by-step visualization of the mechanisms of F-actin severing and elongation by formins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Palmer
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kyle R Barrie
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roberto Dominguez
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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23
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Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang M, Su J, Dong X, Yang Y, Wang H, Li Q. The mammalian actin elongation factor ENAH/MENA contributes to autophagosome formation via its actin regulatory function. Autophagy 2024; 20:1798-1814. [PMID: 38705725 PMCID: PMC11262208 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2347105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catabolic process crucial for degrading cytosolic components and damaged organelles to maintain cellular homeostasis, enabling cells to survive in extreme extracellular environments. ENAH/MENA, a member of the Ena/VASP protein family, functions as a highly efficient actin elongation factor. In this study, our objective was to explore the role of ENAH in the autophagy process. Initially, we demonstrated that depleting ENAH in cancer cells inhibits autophagosome formation. Subsequently, we observed ENAH's colocalization with MAP1LC3/LC3 during tumor cell starvation, dependent on actin cytoskeleton polymerization and the interaction between ENAH and BECN1 (beclin 1). Additionally, mammalian ATG9A formed a ring-like structure around ENAH-LC3 puncta during starvation, relying on actin cytoskeleton polymerization. Furthermore, ENAH's EVH1 and EVH2 domains were found to be indispensable for its colocalization with LC3 and BECN1, while the PRD domain played a crucial role in the formation of the ATG9A ring. Finally, our study revealed ENAH-led actin comet tails in autophagosome trafficking. In conclusion, our findings provide initial insights into the regulatory role of the mammalian actin elongation factor ENAH in autophagy.Abbreviations: 3-MA 3-methyladenine; ABPs actin-binding proteins; ATG autophagy related; ATG9A autophagy related 9A; Baf A1 bafilomycin A1; CM complete medium; CytERM endoplasmic reticulum signal-anchor membrane protein; Cyto D cytochalasin D; EBSS Earl's balanced salt solution; ENAH/MENA ENAH actin regulator; EVH1 Ena/VASP homology 1 domain; EVH2 Ena/VASP homology 2 domain; GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; Lat B latrunculin B; LC3-I unlipidated form of LC3; LC3-II phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated form of LC3; MAP1LC3/LC3 microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; mEGFP monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein; mTagBFP2 monomeric Tag blue fluorescent protein 2; OSER organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum; PRD proline-rich domain; PtdIns3K class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; WM wortmannin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueheng Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yafei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui province, China
| | - Menghui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhui Su
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinjue Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongshan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - QingQuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui province, China
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24
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Mokin YI, Povarova OI, Antifeeva IA, Artemov AV, Uversky VN, Turoverov KK, Kuznetsova IM, Fonin AV. Bioinformatics Analysis of Actin Interactome: Characterization of the Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Actin-Binding Proteins. Protein J 2024; 43:675-682. [PMID: 38824467 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Actin is present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of every eukaryotic cell. In the cytoplasm, framework and motor functions of actin are associated with its ability to polymerize to form F-actin. In the nucleus, globular actin plays a significant functional role. For a globular protein, actin has a uniquely large number of proteins with which it interacts. Bioinformatics analysis of the actin interactome showed that only a part of actin-binding proteins are both cytoplasmic and nuclear. There are proteins that interact only with cytoplasmic, or only with nuclear actin. The first pool includes proteins associated with the formation, regulation, and functioning of the actin cytoskeleton predominate, while nuclear actin-binding proteins are involved in the majority of key nuclear processes, from regulation of transcription to DNA damage response. Bioinformatics analysis of the structure of actin-binding proteins showed that these are mainly intrinsically disordered proteins, many of which are part of membrane-less organelles. Interestingly, although the number of intrinsically disordered actin-binding proteins in the nucleus is greater than in the cytoplasm, the drivers for the formation of the membrane-less organelles in the cytoplasm are significantly (four times) greater than in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yakov I Mokin
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation
| | - Olga I Povarova
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation
| | - Iuliia A Antifeeva
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation
| | - Alexey V Artemov
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC07, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| | - Konstantin K Turoverov
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation
| | - Irina M Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation.
| | - Alexander V Fonin
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russian Federation.
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25
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Flormann DAD, Kainka L, Montalvo G, Anton C, Rheinlaender J, Thalla D, Vesperini D, Pohland MO, Kaub KH, Schu M, Pezzano F, Ruprecht V, Terriac E, Hawkins RJ, Lautenschläger F. The structure and mechanics of the cell cortex depend on the location and adhesion state. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320372121. [PMID: 39042691 PMCID: PMC11295003 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320372121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells exist in different phenotypes and can transition between them. A phenotype may be characterized by many different aspects. Here, we focus on the example of whether the cell is adhered or suspended and choose particular parameters related to the structure and mechanics of the actin cortex. The cortex is essential to cell mechanics, morphology, and function, such as for adhesion, migration, and division of animal cells. To predict and control cellular functions and prevent malfunctioning, it is necessary to understand the actin cortex. The structure of the cortex governs cell mechanics; however, the relationship between the architecture and mechanics of the cortex is not yet well enough understood to be able to predict one from the other. Therefore, we quantitatively measured structural and mechanical cortex parameters, including cortical thickness, cortex mesh size, actin bundling, and cortex stiffness. These measurements required developing a combination of measurement techniques in scanning electron, expansion, confocal, and atomic force microscopy. We found that the structure and mechanics of the cortex of cells in interphase are different depending on whether the cell is suspended or adhered. We deduced general correlations between structural and mechanical properties and show how these findings can be explained within the framework of semiflexible polymer network theory. We tested the model predictions by perturbing the properties of the actin within the cortex using compounds. Our work provides an important step toward predictions of cell mechanics from cortical structures and suggests how cortex remodeling between different phenotypes impacts the mechanical properties of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. A. D. Flormann
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - L. Kainka
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - G. Montalvo
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - C. Anton
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - J. Rheinlaender
- Faculty of Science, Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
| | - D. Thalla
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - D. Vesperini
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - M. O. Pohland
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - K. H. Kaub
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Georg-August-University, Göttingen37077, Germany
| | - M. Schu
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - F. Pezzano
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona08003, Spain
| | - V. Ruprecht
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona08002, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona08010, Spain
| | - E. Terriac
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - R. J. Hawkins
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS3 7RH, United Kingdom
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra20046, Ghana
| | - F. Lautenschläger
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
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26
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Lindamood HL, Liu TM, Read TA, Vitriol EA. Using ALS to understand profilin 1's diverse roles in cellular physiology. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 39056295 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Profilin is an actin monomer-binding protein whose role in actin polymerization has been studied for nearly 50 years. While its principal biochemical features are now well understood, many questions remain about how profilin controls diverse processes within the cell. Dysregulation of profilin has been implicated in a broad range of human diseases, including neurodegeneration, inflammatory disorders, cardiac disease, and cancer. For example, mutations in the profilin 1 gene (PFN1) can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although the precise mechanisms that drive neurodegeneration remain unclear. While initial work suggested proteostasis and actin cytoskeleton defects as the main pathological pathways, multiple novel functions for PFN1 have since been discovered that may also contribute to ALS, including the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport, stress granules, mitochondria, and microtubules. Here, we will review these newly discovered roles for PFN1, speculate on their contribution to ALS, and discuss how defects in actin can contribute to these processes. By understanding profilin 1's involvement in ALS pathogenesis, we hope to gain insight into this functionally complex protein with significant influence over cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halli L Lindamood
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tatiana M Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tracy-Ann Read
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eric A Vitriol
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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27
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Giménez A, Del Giudice MG, López PV, Guaimas F, Sámano-Sánchez H, Gibson TJ, Chemes LB, Arregui CO, Ugalde JE, Czibener C. Brucella NpeA is a secreted Type IV effector containing an N-WASP-binding short linear motif that promotes niche formation. mBio 2024; 15:e0072624. [PMID: 38847540 PMCID: PMC11253601 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00726-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The modulation of actin polymerization is a common theme among microbial pathogens. Even though microorganisms show a wide repertoire of strategies to subvert the activity of actin, most of them converge in the ones that activate nucleating factors, such as the Arp2/3 complex. Brucella spp. are intracellular pathogens capable of establishing chronic infections in their hosts. The ability to subvert the host cell response is dependent on the capacity of the bacterium to attach, invade, avoid degradation in the phagocytic compartment, replicate in an endoplasmic reticulum-derived compartment and egress. Even though a significant number of mechanisms deployed by Brucella in these different phases have been identified and characterized, none of them have been described to target actin as a cellular component. In this manuscript, we describe the identification of a novel virulence factor (NpeA) that promotes niche formation. NpeA harbors a short linear motif (SLiM) present within an amphipathic alpha helix that has been described to bind the GTPase-binding domain (GBD) of N-WASP and stabilizes the autoinhibited state. Our results show that NpeA is secreted in a Type IV secretion system-dependent manner and that deletion of the gene diminishes the intracellular replication capacity of the bacterium. In vitro and ex vivo experiments demonstrate that NpeA binds N-WASP and that the short linear motif is required for the biological activity of the protein.IMPORTANCEThe modulation of actin-binding effectors that regulate the activity of this fundamental cellular protein is a common theme among bacterial pathogens. The neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) is a protein that several pathogens target to hijack actin dynamics. The highly adapted intracellular bacterium Brucella has evolved a wide repertoire of virulence factors that modulate many activities of the host cell to establish successful intracellular replication niches, but, to date, no effector proteins have been implicated in the modulation of actin dynamics. We present here the identification of a virulence factor that harbors a short linear motif (SLiM) present within an amphipathic alpha helix that has been described to bind the GTPase-binding domain (GBD) of N-WASP stabilizing its autoinhibited state. We demonstrate that this protein is a Type IV secretion effector that targets N-WASP-promoting intracellular survival and niche formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostina Giménez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariela G. Del Giudice
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula V. López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Guaimas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Sámano-Sánchez
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Toby J. Gibson
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucía B. Chemes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos O. Arregui
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan E. Ugalde
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Czibener
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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28
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Wang Y, Wu J, Zsolnay V, Pollard TD, Voth GA. Mechanism of phosphate release from actin filaments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2408156121. [PMID: 38980907 PMCID: PMC11260136 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408156121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
After ATP-actin monomers assemble filaments, the ATP's [Formula: see text]-phosphate is hydrolyzedwithin seconds and dissociates over minutes. We used all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to sample the release of phosphate from filaments and study residues that gate release. Dissociation of phosphate from Mg2+ is rate limiting and associated with an energy barrier of 20 kcal/mol, consistent with experimental rates of phosphate release. Phosphate then diffuses within an internal cavity toward a gate formed by R177, as suggested in prior computational studies and cryo-EM structures. The gate is closed when R177 hydrogen bonds with N111 and is open when R177 forms a salt bridge with D179. Most of the time, interactions of R177 with other residues occlude the phosphate release pathway. Machine learning analysis reveals that the occluding interactions fluctuate rapidly, underscoring the secondary role of backdoor gate opening in Pi release, in contrast with the previous hypothesis that gate opening is the primary event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics and James Frank Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Jiangbo Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics and James Frank Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Vilmos Zsolnay
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Thomas D. Pollard
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT06511
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT06511
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT06510
| | - Gregory A. Voth
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics and James Frank Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
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29
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Effiong UM, Khairandish H, Ramirez-Velez I, Wang Y, Belardi B. Turn-on protein switches for controlling actin binding in cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5840. [PMID: 38992021 PMCID: PMC11239668 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Within a shared cytoplasm, filamentous actin (F-actin) plays numerous and critical roles across the cell body. Cells rely on actin-binding proteins (ABPs) to organize F-actin and to integrate its polymeric characteristics into diverse cellular processes. Yet, the multitude of ABPs that engage with and shape F-actin make studying a single ABP's influence on cellular activities a significant challenge. Moreover, without a means of manipulating actin-binding subcellularly, harnessing the F-actin cytoskeleton for synthetic biology purposes remains elusive. Here, we describe a suite of designed proteins, Controllable Actin-binding Switch Tools (CASTs), whose actin-binding behavior can be controlled with external stimuli. CASTs were developed that respond to different external inputs, providing options for turn-on kinetics and enabling orthogonality and multiplexing. Being genetically encoded, we show that CASTs can be inserted into native protein sequences to control F-actin association locally and engineered into structures to control cell and tissue shape and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unyime M Effiong
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hannah Khairandish
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Isabela Ramirez-Velez
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yanran Wang
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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30
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Sakamoto R, Murrell MP. Composite branched and linear F-actin maximize myosin-induced membrane shape changes in a biomimetic cell model. Commun Biol 2024; 7:840. [PMID: 38987288 PMCID: PMC11236970 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06528-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The architecture of the actin cortex determines the generation and transmission of stresses, during key events from cell division to migration. However, its impact on myosin-induced cell shape changes remains unclear. Here, we reconstitute a minimal model of the actomyosin cortex with branched or linear F-actin architecture within giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs, liposomes). Upon light activation of myosin, neither the branched nor linear F-actin architecture alone induces significant liposome shape changes. The branched F-actin network forms an integrated, membrane-bound "no-slip boundary" -like cortex that attenuates actomyosin contractility. By contrast, the linear F-actin network forms an unintegrated "slip boundary" -like cortex, where actin asters form without inducing membrane deformations. Notably, liposomes undergo significant deformations at an optimized balance of branched and linear F-actin networks. Our findings highlight the pivotal roles of branched F-actin in force transmission and linear F-actin in force generation to yield membrane shape changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Sakamoto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 10 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, 850 West Campus Drive, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael P Murrell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 10 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Systems Biology Institute, 850 West Campus Drive, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Physics, Yale University, 217 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Lechuga S, Marino-Melendez A, Davis A, Zalavadia A, Khan A, Longworth MS, Ivanov AI. Coactosin-like protein 1 regulates integrity and repair of model intestinal epithelial barriers via actin binding dependent and independent mechanisms. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1405454. [PMID: 39040043 PMCID: PMC11260685 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1405454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton regulates the integrity and repair of epithelial barriers by mediating the assembly of tight junctions (TJs), and adherens junctions (AJs), and driving epithelial wound healing. Actin filaments undergo a constant turnover guided by numerous actin-binding proteins, however, the roles of actin filament dynamics in regulating intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and repair remain poorly understood. Coactosin-like protein 1 (COTL1) is a member of the ADF/cofilin homology domain protein superfamily that binds and stabilizes actin filaments. COTL1 is essential for neuronal and cancer cell migration, however, its functions in epithelia remain unknown. The goal of this study is to investigate the roles of COTL1 in regulating the structure, permeability, and repair of the epithelial barrier in human intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). COTL1 was found to be enriched at apical junctions in polarized IEC monolayers in vitro. The knockdown of COTL1 in IEC significantly increased paracellular permeability, impaired the steady state TJ and AJ integrity, and attenuated junctional reassembly in a calcium-switch model. Consistently, downregulation of COTL1 expression in Drosophila melanogaster increased gut permeability. Loss of COTL1 attenuated collective IEC migration and decreased cell-matrix attachment. The observed junctional abnormalities in COTL1-depleted IEC were accompanied by the impaired assembly of the cortical actomyosin cytoskeleton. Overexpression of either wild-type COTL1 or its actin-binding deficient mutant tightened the paracellular barrier and activated junction-associated myosin II. Furthermore, the actin-uncoupled COTL1 mutant inhibited epithelial migration and matrix attachment. These findings highlight COTL1 as a novel regulator of the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrei I. Ivanov
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Hufft-Martinez BM, Wang HH, Saadi I, Tran PV. Actin cytoskeletal regulation of ciliogenesis in development and disease. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38958410 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are antenna-like sensory organelles that are evolutionarily conserved in nearly all modern eukaryotes, from the single-celled green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to vertebrates and mammals. Cilia are microtubule-based cellular projections that have adapted to perform a broad range of species-specific functions, from cell motility to detection of light and the transduction of extracellular mechanical and chemical signals. These functions render cilia essential for organismal development and survival. The high conservation of cilia has allowed for discoveries in C. reinhardtii to inform our understanding of the basic biology of mammalian primary cilia, and to provide insight into the genetic etiology of ciliopathies. Over the last two decades, a growing number of studies has revealed that multiple aspects of ciliary homeostasis are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton, including centrosome migration and positioning, vesicle transport to the basal body, ectocytosis, and ciliary-mediated signaling. Here, we review actin regulation of ciliary homeostasis, and highlight conserved and divergent mechanisms in C. reinhardtii and mammalian cells. Further, we compare the disease manifestations of patients with ciliopathies to those with mutations in actin and actin-associated genes, and propose that primary cilia defects caused by genetic alteration of the actin cytoskeleton may underlie certain birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M Hufft-Martinez
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Henry H Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Irfan Saadi
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Pamela V Tran
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Jared Grantham Kidney Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Calderan C, Sorrentino U, Persano L, Trevisson E, Sartori G, Salviati L, Desbats MA. A yeast based assay establishes the pathogenicity of novel missense ACTA2 variants associated with aortic aneurysms. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:804-812. [PMID: 38486025 PMCID: PMC11219741 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01591-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The ACTA2 gene codes for alpha-smooth muscle actin, a critical component of the contractile apparatus of the vascular smooth muscle cells. Autosomal dominant variants in the ACTA2 gene have been associated to familial non-syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection (TAAD). They are thought to act through a dominant-negative mechanism. These variants display incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity, complicating the validation of ACTA2 variants pathogenicity by family segregation studies. In this study, we developed a yeast based assay to test putative TAAD-associated ACTA2 variants. We identified five new heterozygous ACTA2 missense variants in TAAD patients through next generation sequencing. We decided to test their pathogenicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, since yeast actin is very similar to human alpha-smooth muscle actin, and the residues at which the TAAD-associated variants occur in ACTA2 are well conserved. A wild type yeast strain was transformed with a vector expressing the different mutant alleles, to model the heterozygous condition of patients. Then, we evaluated yeast growth by spot test and cytoskeletal and mitochondrial morphology by fluorescence microscopy. We found that mutant yeast strains displayed only mild growth defects but a significant increase in the percentage of cells with abnormal mitochondrial distribution and abnormal organization of the actin cytoskeleton compared to controls. All variants appeared to interfere with the activity of wild type actin in yeast, suggesting a dominant-negative pathogenic mechanism. Our results demonstrate the utility of using the yeast actin model system to validate the pathogenicity of TAAD-associated ACTA2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Calderan
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ugo Sorrentino
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Persano
- Pediatric Oncohematology Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Geppo Sartori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Leonardo Salviati
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
- CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Andrea Desbats
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, and Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy.
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Shi B, Lian Q, Gao H, Wang Y, Ma Q. TaCAP1 Interacts with TaLHCB1s and Positively Regulates Wheat Resistance Against Stripe Rust. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:1646-1656. [PMID: 38648033 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-23-0342-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Actin filaments and their associated actin-binding proteins play key roles in plant innate immune signaling. CAP1, or cyclase-associated protein 1, is an important regulatory factor of the actin cytoskeleton-associated signaling network and was hypothesized here to be involved in resistance against wheat stripe rust because TaCAP1 expression was upregulated in response to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Downregulation of TaCAP1 expression led to decreased resistance against Pst, in contrast to increased resistance upon TaCAP1 overexpressing, as demonstrated by the changes of phenotypes and hyphal growth. We found increased expression of pathogenesis-responsive or relative related genes and disease grade changed in TaCAP1 overexpressing plants. Our results also showed TaCAP1-regulated host resistance to Pst by inducing the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species and mediating the salicylic acid signaling pathway. Additionally, TaCAP1 interacted with chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins TaLHCB1.3 and TaLHCB1.4, also known as the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex II subunit B, which belong to the light-harvesting complex II protein family. Silencing of two TaLHCB1 genes showed higher susceptibility to Pst, which reduced wheat resistance against Pst. Therefore, the data presented herein further illuminate our understanding that TaCAP1 interacts with TaLHCB1s and functions as a positive regulator of wheat resistance against stripe rust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, China
| | - Qinggui Lian
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Haifeng Gao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crop in Northwestern Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830091, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Qing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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He X, Brakebusch C. Regulation of Precise DNA Repair by Nuclear Actin Polymerization: A Chance for Improving Gene Therapy? Cells 2024; 13:1093. [PMID: 38994946 PMCID: PMC11240418 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although more difficult to detect than in the cytoplasm, it is now clear that actin polymerization occurs in the nucleus and that it plays a role in the specific processes of the nucleus such as transcription, replication, and DNA repair. A number of studies suggest that nuclear actin polymerization is promoting precise DNA repair by homologous recombination, which could potentially be of help for precise genome editing and gene therapy. This review summarizes the findings and describes the challenges and chances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cord Brakebusch
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
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Biswas R, Chaudhuri S. AtHMGB15 regulates tapetal apoptosis in pollen development and actin dynamics during pollen germination in arabidopsis. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2024:10.1007/s00497-024-00505-x. [PMID: 38904831 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-024-00505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE ARID-HMG DNA binding protein, AtHMGB15, regulates pollen development and pollen germination in Arabidopsis. Previous studies have shown that ARID-HMG DNA binding protein, AtHMGB15 regulate pollen development and pollen germination in Arabidopsis. Here, we performed transcriptome and cytological studies to understand the role of AtHMGB15 in regulating pollen wall morphology and the pollen tube germination rate. Our result showed abnormal vacuolization in the tapetal cells during anther maturation and prolonged PCD in AtHMGB15 loss-of-function mutant. The tapetum has the ability to perform both secretory and biosynthetic activities critical for pollen maturation and pollen viability. Interestingly, expression of PCD executer genes CEP1, MC9 and RNS3 were significant down-regulation of in athmgb15-4. The growth of pollen tubes is regulated by the actin cytoskeleton dynamics. To address the defect in pollen tube growth of athmgb15, we monitored the actin network in growing pollen tubes of wildtype and athmgb15-4 using Rhodamine-phalloidin fluorescence. Our results indicate a highly fragmented actin distribution in athmgb15-4 pollen tubes with a lesser number of long actin fibers and significantly low f-actin concentration at the apex. q-RTPCR further indicates significant downy-regulation of actin regulatory proteins VLN2 and PRF4. Collectively, our results suggest that AtHMGB15 being a nuclear architectural protein orchestrates high-order chromatin organization to promote the transcription of genes responsible for pollen development and pollen germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Biswas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bose Institute, Unified Academic Campus, EN 80, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091, India
| | - Shubho Chaudhuri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bose Institute, Unified Academic Campus, EN 80, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091, India.
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Mesa D, Barbieri E, Raimondi A, Freddi S, Miloro G, Jendrisek G, Caldieri G, Quarto M, Schiano Lomoriello I, Malabarba MG, Bresci A, Manetti F, Vernuccio F, Abdo H, Scita G, Lanzetti L, Polli D, Tacchetti C, Pinton P, Bonora M, Di Fiore PP, Sigismund S. A tripartite organelle platform links growth factor receptor signaling to mitochondrial metabolism. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5119. [PMID: 38879572 PMCID: PMC11180189 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49543-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
One open question in the biology of growth factor receptors is how a quantitative input (i.e., ligand concentration) is decoded by the cell to produce specific response(s). Here, we show that an EGFR endocytic mechanism, non-clathrin endocytosis (NCE), which is activated only at high ligand concentrations and targets receptor to degradation, requires a tripartite organelle platform involving the plasma membrane (PM), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. At these contact sites, EGFR-dependent, ER-generated Ca2+ oscillations are sensed by mitochondria, leading to increased metabolism and ATP production. Locally released ATP is required for cortical actin remodeling and EGFR-NCE vesicle fission. The same biochemical circuitry is also needed for an effector function of EGFR, i.e., collective motility. The multiorganelle signaling platform herein described mediates direct communication between EGFR signaling and mitochondrial metabolism, and is predicted to have a broad impact on cell physiology as it is activated by another growth factor receptor, HGFR/MET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Mesa
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Raimondi
- Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Freddi
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gorana Jendrisek
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Micaela Quarto
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Schiano Lomoriello
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Malabarba
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Bresci
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Hind Abdo
- IFOM, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Scita
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IFOM, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Lanzetti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Dario Polli
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology (CNR-IFN), Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Tacchetti
- Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo Bonora
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Di Fiore
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Sigismund
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
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Wang D, Du M, Lyu P, Li J, Meng H, Liu X, Shi M, Gong Y, Sha Q, Men Q, Li X, Sun Y, Guo S. Functional Characterization of the Soybean Glycine max Actin Depolymerization Factor GmADF13 for Plant Resistance to Drought Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1651. [PMID: 38931083 PMCID: PMC11207668 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Abiotic stress significantly affects plant growth and has devastating effects on crop production. Drought stress is one of the main abiotic stressors. Actin is a major component of the cytoskeleton, and actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) are conserved actin-binding proteins in eukaryotes that play critical roles in plant responses to various stresses. In this study, we found that GmADF13, an ADF gene from the soybean Glycine max, showed drastic upregulation under drought stress. Subcellular localization experiments in tobacco epidermal cells and tobacco protoplasts showed that GmADF13 was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. We characterized its biological function in transgenic Arabidopsis and hairy root composite soybean plants. Arabidopsis plants transformed with GmADF13 displayed a more robust drought tolerance than wild-type plants, including having a higher seed germination rate, longer roots, and healthy leaves under drought conditions. Similarly, GmADF13-overexpressing (OE) soybean plants generated via the Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of the hairy roots showed an improved drought tolerance. Leaves from OE plants showed higher relative water, chlorophyll, and proline contents, had a higher antioxidant enzyme activity, and had decreased malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion levels compared to those of control plants. Furthermore, under drought stress, GmADF13 OE activated the transcription of several drought-stress-related genes, such as GmbZIP1, GmDREB1A, GmDREB2, GmWRKY13, and GmANK114. Thus, GmADF13 is a positive regulator of the drought stress response, and it may play an essential role in plant growth under drought stress conditions. These results provide new insights into the functional elucidation of soybean ADFs. They may be helpful for breeding new soybean cultivars with a strong drought tolerance and further understanding how ADFs help plants adapt to abiotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deying Wang
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Mengxue Du
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Peng Lyu
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Jingyu Li
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Huiran Meng
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Xinxin Liu
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Mengmeng Shi
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Yujie Gong
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Qi Sha
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Qingmei Men
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaofei Li
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Yongwang Sun
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
| | - Shangjing Guo
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; (D.W.); (M.D.); (P.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (M.S.); (Y.G.); (Q.S.); (Q.M.); (X.L.)
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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Peng J, Tang R, He J, Yu Q, Wang D, Qi D. S1PR3 inhibition protects against LPS-induced ARDS by inhibiting NF-κB and improving mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. J Transl Med 2024; 22:535. [PMID: 38840216 PMCID: PMC11151509 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05220-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation and endothelial barrier dysfunction are the major pathophysiological changes in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3), a G protein-coupled receptor, has been found to mediate inflammation and endothelial cell (EC) integrity. However, the function of S1PR3 in ARDS has not been fully elucidated. METHODS We used a murine lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS model and an LPS- stimulated ECs model to investigate the role of S1PR3 in anti-inflammatory effects and endothelial barrier protection during ARDS. RESULTS We found that S1PR3 expression was increased in the lung tissues of mice with LPS-induced ARDS. TY-52156, a selective S1PR3 inhibitor, effectively attenuated LPS-induced inflammation by suppressing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and restored the endothelial barrier by repairing adherens junctions and reducing vascular leakage. S1PR3 inhibition was achieved by an adeno-associated virus in vivo and a small interfering RNA in vitro. Both the in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that pharmacological or genetic inhibition of S1PR3 protected against ARDS by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and improving mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS S1PR3 inhibition protects against LPS-induced ARDS via suppression of pulmonary inflammation and promotion of the endothelial barrier by inhibiting NF-κB and improving mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, indicating that S1PR3 is a potential therapeutic target for ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junnan Peng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Tang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Daoxin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Qi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China.
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Jiang X, Sun S, Shi C, Liu K, Yang Y, Cao J, Gu J, Liu J. Rsad2 mediates Bisphenol A-induced actin cytoskeletal disruption in mouse spermatocytes. J Appl Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38828519 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely exposed in populations worldwide and has negative effects on spermatogenesis both in animals and humans. The homeostasis of the actin cytoskeleton in the spermatogenic epithelium is crucial for spermatogenesis. Actin cytoskeleton destruction in the seminiferous epithelium is one of the important reasons for BPA-induced spermatogenesis disorder. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein, we explored the role and mechanism of Rsad2, an interferon-stimulated gene in BPA-induced actin cytoskeleton disorder in mouse GC-2 spermatocyte cell lines. After BPA exposure, the actin cytoskeleton was dramatically disrupted and the cell morphology was markedly altered accompanied by a significant increase in Rsad2 expression both in mRNA and protein levels in GC-2 cells. Furthermore, the phalloidin intensities and cell morphology were restored obviously when interfering with the expression of Rsad2 in BPA-treated GC-2 cells. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in intracellular ATP levels after BPA treatment, while the ATP level was obviously upregulated when knocking down the expression of Rsad2 in BPA-treated cells compared to cells treated with BPA alone. Moreover, Rsad2 relocated to mitochondria after BPA exposure in GC-2 cells. BPA promoted Rsad2 expression by activating type I IFN-signaling in GC-2 cells. In summary, Rsad2 mediated BPA-induced actin cytoskeletal disruption in GC-2 cells, which provided data to reveal the mechanism of BPA-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Jiang
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengqi Sun
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Chaofeng Shi
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kangle Liu
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yurui Yang
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Cao
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Gu
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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41
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Guo M, Guo D, Liao L, Zhang X, Wang Z, Zhou Q, Chen P, Li R, Han B, Bao G, Zhang B. Ethanolic extract from Sophora moorcroftiana inhibit cell proliferation and alter the mechanical properties of human cervical cancer. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:212. [PMID: 38831394 PMCID: PMC11149180 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04502-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies. Previous studies have shown that the ethanol extract of Sophora moorcroftiana seeds (EESMS) possesses an antiproliferative effect on several tumors in vitro. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the impact of EESMS on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell proliferation. METHODS The proliferation and apoptotic effects of HeLa cells treated with EESMS were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting. Single-cell level atomic force microscopy (AFM) was conducted to detect the mechanical properties of HeLa cells, and proteomics and bioinformatics methods were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of EESMS. RESULTS EESMS treatment inhibited HeLa cell proliferation by blocking the G0/G1 phase, increasing the expression of Caspase-3 and affecting its mechanical properties, and the EESMS indicated no significant inhibitory effect on mouse fibroblasts L929 cell line. In total, 218 differentially expressed proteins were identified using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and eight differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The differentially expressed proteins were involved in various cellular and biological processes. CONCLUSION This study provides a perspective on how cells change through biomechanics and a further theoretical foundation for the future application of Sophora moorcroftiana as a novel low-toxicity chemotherapy medication for treating human cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manli Guo
- Key Lab of Oral Diseases of Gansu Province, Northwest Minzu University, Northwest new village No.1, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
| | - Dingcheng Guo
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Lingzi Liao
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zhilong Wang
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Qiaozhen Zhou
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ping Chen
- Chengdu Stomatological Hospital, NO. 17, South Section of Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, 610020, PR China
| | - Ruiping Li
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Key Lab of Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Intelligent Manufacturing, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Key Lab of Oral Diseases of Gansu Province, Northwest Minzu University, Northwest new village No.1, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
| | - Guangjie Bao
- Key Lab of Oral Diseases of Gansu Province, Northwest Minzu University, Northwest new village No.1, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China.
| | - Baoping Zhang
- School (Hospital) of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
- Gansu Province Key Lab of Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Intelligent Manufacturing, Donggang West Road 199, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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42
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Coulter AM, Cortés V, Theodore CJ, Cianciolo RE, Korstanje R, Campellone KG. WHAMM functions in kidney reabsorption and polymerizes actin to promote autophagosomal membrane closure and cargo sequestration. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar80. [PMID: 38598293 PMCID: PMC11238085 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e24-01-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is essential for many functions of eukaryotic cells, but the factors that nucleate actin assembly are not well understood at the organismal level or in the context of disease. To explore the function of the actin nucleation factor WHAMM in mice, we examined how Whamm inactivation impacts kidney physiology and cellular proteostasis. We show that male WHAMM knockout mice excrete elevated levels of albumin, glucose, phosphate, and amino acids, and display structural abnormalities of the kidney proximal tubule, suggesting that WHAMM activity is important for nutrient reabsorption. In kidney tissue, the loss of WHAMM results in the accumulation of the lipidated autophagosomal membrane protein LC3, indicating an alteration in autophagy. In mouse fibroblasts and human proximal tubule cells, WHAMM and its binding partner the Arp2/3 complex control autophagic membrane closure and cargo receptor recruitment. These results reveal a role for WHAMM-mediated actin assembly in maintaining kidney function and promoting proper autophagosome membrane remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa M. Coulter
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | | | - Corey J. Theodore
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | | | | | - Kenneth G. Campellone
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
- Center on Aging, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030
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43
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Ren L, Wang L, Yi X, Tan Y, Yi L, He J, Li D. Ultrasound Microbubble-Stimulated miR-145-5p Inhibits Malignant Behaviors of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting ACTG1. Ultrasound Q 2024; 40:136-143. [PMID: 38350033 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology combines ultrasound with a variety of functional microbubble vectors to enhance the transfection and expression of target genes, and has become a promising noninvasive method for localized gene transfer, which is widely used in gene therapy for cancer. This research aimed to explore the role of UTMD-mediated miR-145-5p on breast cancer (BC) tumorigenesis and the underlying mechanisms. To achieve UTMD-mediated miR-145-5p overexpression, BC cells were cotransfected with microbubbles (MBs) and miR-145-5p mimics. The BC cell malignant phenotypes were assessed through CCK-8, wound healing, and transwell assays. MiR-145-5p and actin gamma 1 (ACTG1) binding relationship was verified through luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. MiR-145-5p and ACTG1 levels in BC cells and tissues were detected through RT-qPCR and Western blotting. ACTG1 was upregulated, whereas miR-145-5p was downregulated in BC cells and tissues. MiR-145-5p targeted ACTG1 and negatively regulated its level in BC cells. Overexpressing miR-145-5p restrained BC cell growth, migration, and invasion. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction improved the overexpression efficiency of miR-145-5p and enhanced the suppressive influence on BC cell malignant phenotypes. In addition, ACTG1 overexpression compromises the repression of UTMD-mediated miR-145-5p on cellular behaviors in BC. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction-delivered miR-145-5p hindered malignant behaviors of BC cells through downregulating ACTG1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Wang
- Yichang Yiling People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Xuelin Yi
- Yichang Yiling People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Tan
- Yichang Yiling People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Lingxian Yi
- Yichang Yiling People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Jinlan He
- Yichang Yiling People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
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44
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Homa KE, Hocky GM, Suarez C, Kovar DR. Arp2/3 complex- and formin-mediated actin cytoskeleton networks facilitate actin binding protein sorting in fission yeast. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151404. [PMID: 38493594 PMCID: PMC11211059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
While it is well-established that F-actin networks with specific organizations and dynamics are tightly regulated by distinct sets of associated actin-binding proteins (ABPs), how ABPs self-sort to particular F-actin networks remains largely unclear. We report that actin assembly factors Arp2/3 complex and formin Cdc12 tune the association of ABPs fimbrin Fim1 and tropomyosin Cdc8 to different F-actin networks in fission yeast. Genetic and pharmacological disruption of F-actin networks revealed that Fim1 is preferentially directed to Arp2/3-complex mediated actin patches, whereas Cdc8 is preferentially targeted to formin Cdc12-mediated filaments in the contractile ring. To investigate the role of Arp2/3 complex- and formin Cdc12-mediated actin assembly, we used four-color TIRF microscopy to observe the in vitro reconstitution of ABP sorting with purified proteins. Fim1 or Cdc8 alone bind similarly well to filaments assembled by either assembly factor. However, in 'competition' reactions containing both actin assembly factors and both ABPs, ∼2.0-fold more Fim1 and ∼3.5-fold more Cdc8 accumulates on Arp2/3 complex branch points and formin Cdc12-assembled actin filaments, respectively. These findings indicate that F-actin assembly factors Arp2/3 complex and formin Cdc12 help facilitate the recruitment of specific ABPs, thereby tuning ABP sorting and subsequently establishing the identity of F-actin networks in fission yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin E Homa
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Glen M Hocky
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Cristian Suarez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David R Kovar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
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45
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Sundby LJ, Southern WM, Sun J, Patrinostro X, Zhang W, Yong J, Ervasti JM. Deletion of exons 2 and 3 from Actb and cell immortalization lead to widespread, β-actin independent alterations in gene expression associated with cell cycle control. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151397. [PMID: 38387258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic actin proteins, β- and γ-actin, are 99% identical but thought to perform non-redundant functions. The nucleotide coding regions of cytoplasmic actin genes, Actb and Actg1, are 89% identical. Knockout (KO) of Actb by Cre-mediated deletion of first coding exons 2 and 3 in mice is embryonic lethal and fibroblasts derived from KO embryos (MEFs) fail to proliferate. In contrast, Actg1 KO MEFs display with a much milder defect in cell proliferation and Actg1 KO mice are viable, but present with increased perinatal lethality. Recent studies have identified important protein-independent functions for both Actb and Actg1 and demonstrate that deletions within the Actb nucleotide sequence, and not loss of the β-actin protein, cause the most severe phenotypes in KO mice and cells. Here, we use a multi-omics approach to better understand what drives the phenotypes of Actb KO MEFs. RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry reveal largescale changes to the transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome in cells lacking Actb but not those only lacking β-actin protein. Pathway analysis of genes and proteins differentially expressed upon Actb KO suggest widespread dysregulation of genes involved in the cell cycle that may explain the severe defect in proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Sundby
- Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - William M Southern
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Xiaobai Patrinostro
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Jeongsik Yong
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - James M Ervasti
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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46
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Ceron RH, Báez-Cruz FA, Palmer NJ, Carman PJ, Boczkowska M, Heuckeroth RO, Ostap EM, Dominguez R. Molecular mechanisms linking missense ACTG2 mutations to visceral myopathy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6615. [PMID: 38820162 PMCID: PMC11141634 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Visceral myopathy is a life-threatening disease characterized by muscle weakness in the bowel, bladder, and uterus. Mutations in smooth muscle γ-actin (ACTG2) are the most common cause of the disease, but the mechanisms by which the mutations alter muscle function are unknown. Here, we examined four prevalent ACTG2 mutations (R40C, R148C, R178C, and R257C) that cause different disease severity and are spread throughout the actin fold. R178C displayed premature degradation, R148C disrupted interactions with actin-binding proteins, R40C inhibited polymerization, and R257C destabilized filaments. Because these mutations are heterozygous, we also analyzed 50/50 mixtures with wild-type (WT) ACTG2. The WT/R40C mixture impaired filament nucleation by leiomodin 1, and WT/R257C produced filaments that were easily fragmented by smooth muscle myosin. Smooth muscle tropomyosin isoform Tpm1.4 partially rescued the defects of R40C and R257C. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of filaments formed by R40C and R257C revealed disrupted intersubunit contacts. The biochemical and structural properties of the mutants correlate with their genotype-specific disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H. Ceron
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Faviolla A. Báez-Cruz
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Palmer
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peter J. Carman
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Malgorzata Boczkowska
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert O. Heuckeroth
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E. Michael Ostap
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Roberto Dominguez
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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47
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Ioannou IA, Brooks NJ, Kuimova MK, Elani Y. Visualizing Actin Packing and the Effects of Actin Attachment on Lipid Membrane Viscosity Using Molecular Rotors. JACS AU 2024; 4:2041-2049. [PMID: 38818078 PMCID: PMC11134356 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton and its elaborate interplay with the plasma membrane participate in and control numerous biological processes in eukaryotic cells. Malfunction of actin networks and changes in their dynamics are related to various diseases, from actin myopathies to uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis. Importantly, the biophysical and mechanical properties of actin and its assemblies are deeply intertwined with the biological functions of the cytoskeleton. Novel tools to study actin and its associated biophysical features are, therefore, of prime importance. Here we develop a new approach which exploits fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and environmentally sensitive fluorophores termed molecular rotors, acting as quantitative microviscosity sensors, to monitor dynamic viscoelastic properties of both actin structures and lipid membranes. In order to reproduce a minimal actin cortex in synthetic cell models, we encapsulated and attached actin networks to the lipid bilayer of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Using a cyanine-based molecular rotor, DiSC2(3), we show that different types of actin bundles are characterized by distinct packing, which can be spatially resolved using FLIM. Similarly, we show that a lipid bilayer-localized molecular rotor can monitor the effects of attaching cross-linked actin networks to the lipid membrane, revealing an increase in membrane viscosity upon actin attachment. Our approach bypasses constraints associated with existing methods for actin imaging, many of which lack the capability for direct visualization of biophysical properties. It can therefore contribute to a deeper understanding of the role that actin plays in fundamental biological processes and help elucidate the underlying biophysics of actin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion A. Ioannou
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Nickolas J. Brooks
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Marina K. Kuimova
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
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48
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Heissler SM, Chinthalapudi K. Structural and functional mechanisms of actin isoforms. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38779987 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Actin is a highly conserved and fundamental protein in eukaryotes and participates in a broad spectrum of cellular functions. Cells maintain a conserved ratio of actin isoforms, with muscle and non-muscle actins representing the main actin isoforms in muscle and non-muscle cells, respectively. Actin isoforms have specific and redundant functional roles and display different biochemistries, cellular localization, and interactions with myosins and actin-binding proteins. Understanding the specific roles of actin isoforms from the structural and functional perspective is crucial for elucidating the intricacies of cytoskeletal dynamics and regulation and their implications in health and disease. Here, we review how the structure contributes to the functional mechanisms of actin isoforms with a special emphasis on the questions of how post-translational modifications and disease-linked mutations affect actin isoforms biochemistry, function, and interaction with actin-binding proteins and myosin motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Heissler
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Krishna Chinthalapudi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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49
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Walker C, Chandrasekaran A, Mansour D, Graham K, Torres A, Wang L, Lafer EM, Rangamani P, Stachowiak JC. Liquid-like condensates that bind actin drive filament polymerization and bundling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.04.592527. [PMID: 38826190 PMCID: PMC11142076 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.04.592527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-like protein condensates perform diverse physiological functions. Previous work showed that VASP, a processive actin polymerase, forms condensates that polymerize and bundle actin. To minimize their curvature, filaments accumulated at the inner condensate surface, ultimately deforming the condensate into a rod-like shape, filled with a bundle of parallel filaments. Here we show that this behavior does not require proteins with specific polymerase activity. Specifically, we found that condensates composed of Lamellipodin, a protein that binds actin but is not an actin polymerase, were also capable of polymerizing and bundling actin filaments. To probe the minimum requirements for condensate-mediated actin bundling, we developed an agent-based computational model. Guided by its predictions, we hypothesized that any condensate-forming protein that binds actin could bundle filaments through multivalent crosslinking. To test this idea, we added an actin-binding motif to Eps15, a condensate-forming protein that does not normally bind actin. The resulting chimera formed condensates that drove efficient actin polymerization and bundling. Collectively, these findings broaden the family of proteins that could organize cytoskeletal filaments to include any actin-binding protein that participates in protein condensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Walker
- Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Aravind Chandrasekaran
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Daniel Mansour
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kristin Graham
- Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Andrea Torres
- Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Liping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Eileen M. Lafer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Padmini Rangamani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jeanne C. Stachowiak
- Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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50
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Sasmal S, Pal T, Hocky GM, McCullagh M. Quantifying Unbiased Conformational Ensembles from Biased Simulations Using ShapeGMM. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:3492-3502. [PMID: 38662196 PMCID: PMC11104435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Quantifying the conformational ensembles of biomolecules is fundamental to describing mechanisms of processes such as protein folding, interconversion between folded states, ligand binding, and allosteric regulation. Accurate quantification of these ensembles remains a challenge for conventional molecular simulations of all but the simplest molecules due to insufficient sampling. Enhanced sampling approaches, such as metadynamics, were designed to overcome this challenge; however, the nonuniform frame weights that result from many of these approaches present an additional challenge to ensemble quantification techniques such as Markov State Modeling or structural clustering. Here, we present rigorous inclusion of nonuniform frame weights into a structural clustering method entitled shapeGMM. The result of frame-weighted shapeGMM is a high dimensional probability density and generative model for the unbiased system from which we can compute important thermodynamic properties such as relative free energies and configurational entropy. The accuracy of this approach is demonstrated by the quantitative agreement between GMMs computed by Hamiltonian reweighting and direct simulation of a coarse-grained helix model system. Furthermore, the relative free energy computed from a shapeGMM probability density of alanine dipeptide reweighted from a metadynamics simulation quantitatively reproduces the underlying free energy in the basins. Finally, the method identifies hidden structures along the actin globular to filamentous-like structural transition from a metadynamics simulation on a linear discriminant analysis coordinate trained on GMM states, illustrating how structural clustering of biased data can lead to biophysical insight. Combined, these results demonstrate that frame-weighted shapeGMM is a powerful approach to quantifying biomolecular ensembles from biased simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subarna Sasmal
- Department of Chemistry, New York
University, New York, New York 10003, United
States
| | - Triasha Pal
- Department of Chemistry, New York
University, New York, New York 10003, United
States
| | - Glen M. Hocky
- Department of Chemistry, New York
University, New York, New York 10003, United
States
- Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry,
New York University, New York, New York 10003,
United States
| | - Martin McCullagh
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United
States
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