Cortical actin dynamics driven by formins and myosin V

Improved tools for live imaging of F-actin structures in yeast

For over 20 years, the most effective probe for live imaging of yeast actin cables has been Abp140-GFP. Here, we report that endogenously-tagged Abp140-GFP poorly decorates actin patches and cables in the bud compartment of yeast cells, while robustly decorating these structures in the mother cell. Using mutagenesis, we found that asymmetric decoration by Abp140 requires F-actin binding. By expressing integrated Bni1-Bnr1 and Bnr1-Bni1 chimeras, we demonstrate that asymmetric cable decoration by Abp140 also does not depend on which formin assembles the cables in each compartment. In contrast, the short actin-binding fragment of Abp140 (known as "Lifeact"), fused to 1x or 3xmNeonGreen and expressed from the endogenous ABP140 promoter, uniformly decorates patches and cables in both compartments. Further, this probe dramatically improves live imaging detection of cables (and patches) without altering their in vivo dynamics or cell growth. Improved detection allows us to visualize cables growing inward from the cell cortex and dynamically interacting with the vacuole. This probe also robustly decorates the cytokinetic actomyosin ring. Because Lifeact-3xmNeon expressed at relatively low levels provides intense labeling of cellular F-actin structures, this tool may improve live imaging in other organisms where higher levels of Lifeact expression are detrimental.

The roles of yeast formins and their regulators Bud6 and Bil2 in the pheromone response

In response to pheromone Saccharomyces cerevisiae extend a mating projection. This process depends on the formation of polarized actin cables which direct secretion to the mating tip and translocate the nucleus for karyogamy. Here, we demonstrate that proper mating projection formation requires the formin Bni1, as well as the actin nucleation promoting activities of Bud6, but not the formin Bnr1. Further, Bni1 is required for pheromone gradient tracking. Our work also reveals unexpected new functions for Bil2 in the pheromone response. Previously we identified Bil2 as a direct inhibitor of Bnr1 during vegetative cell growth. Here, we show that Bil2 has Bnr1-independent functions in spatially focusing Bni1-GFP at mating projection tips, and in vitro Bil2 and its binding partner Bud6 organize Bni1 into clusters that nucleate actin assembly. bil2∆ cells also display entangled Bni1-generated actin cable arrays and defects in secretory vesicle transport and nuclear positioning. At low pheromone concentrations, bil2∆ cells are delayed in establishing a polarity axis, and at high concentrations they prematurely form a second and a third mating projection. Together, these results suggest that Bil2 promotes the proper formation and timing of mating projections by organizing Bni1 and maintaining a persistent axis of polarized growth.

Cytosolic concentrations of actin binding proteins and the implications for in vivo F-actin turnover

Understanding how numerous actin-binding proteins (ABPs) work in concert to control the assembly, organization, and turnover of the actin cytoskeleton requires quantitative information about the levels of each component. Here, we measured the cellular concentrations of actin and the majority of the conserved ABPs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as the free (cytosolic) fractions of each ABP. The cellular concentration of actin is estimated to be 13.2 µM, with approximately two-thirds in the F-actin form and one-third in the G-actin form. Cellular concentrations of ABPs range from 12.4 to 0.85 µM (Tpm1> Pfy1> Cof1> Abp1> Srv2> Abp140> Tpm2> Aip1> Cap1/2> Crn1> Sac6> Twf1> Arp2/3> Scp1). The cytosolic fractions of all ABPs are unexpectedly high (0.6-0.9) and remain so throughout the cell cycle. Based on these numbers, we speculate that F-actin binding sites are limited in vivo, which leads to high cytosolic levels of ABPs, and in turn helps drive the rapid assembly and turnover of cellular F-actin structures.

Branched-chain actin dynamics polarizes vesicle trajectories and partitions apicobasal epithelial membrane domains

In prevailing epithelial polarity models, membrane- and junction-based polarity cues such as the partitioning-defective PARs specify the positions of apicobasal membrane domains. Recent findings indicate, however, that intracellular vesicular trafficking can determine the position of the apical domain, upstream of membrane-based polarity cues. These findings raise the question of how vesicular trafficking becomes polarized independent of apicobasal target membrane domains. Here, we show that the apical directionality of vesicle trajectories depends on actin dynamics during de novo polarized membrane biogenesis in the C. elegans intestine. We find that actin, powered by branched-chain actin modulators, determines the polarized distribution of apical membrane components, PARs, and itself. Using photomodulation, we demonstrate that F-actin travels through the cytoplasm and along the cortex toward the future apical domain. Our findings support an alternative polarity model where actin-directed trafficking asymmetrically inserts the nascent apical domain into the growing epithelial membrane to partition apicobasal membrane domains.

Evolutionary tuning of barbed end competition allows simultaneous construction of architecturally distinct actin structures

How cells simultaneously assemble actin structures of distinct sizes, shapes, and filamentous architectures is still not well understood. Here, we used budding yeast as a model to investigate how competition for the barbed ends of actin filaments might influence this process. We found that while vertebrate capping protein (CapZ) and formins can simultaneously associate with barbed ends and catalyze each other's displacement, yeast capping protein (Cap1/2) poorly displaces both yeast and vertebrate formins. Consistent with these biochemical differences, in vivo formin-mediated actin cable assembly was strongly attenuated by the overexpression of CapZ but not Cap1/2. Multiwavelength live cell imaging further revealed that actin patches in cap2∆ cells acquire cable-like features over time, including recruitment of formins and tropomyosin. Together, our results suggest that the activities of S. cerevisiae Cap1/2 have been tuned across evolution to allow robust cable assembly by formins in the presence of high cytosolic levels of Cap1/2, which conversely limit patch growth and shield patches from formins.

Identification of a modulator of the actin cytoskeleton, mitochondria, nutrient metabolism and lifespan in yeast

In yeast, actin cables are F-actin bundles that are essential for cell division through their function as tracks for cargo movement from mother to daughter cell. Actin cables also affect yeast lifespan by promoting transport and inheritance of higher-functioning mitochondria to daughter cells. Here, we report that actin cable stability declines with age. Our genome-wide screen for genes that affect actin cable stability identified the open reading frame YKL075C. Deletion of YKL075C results in increases in actin cable stability and abundance, mitochondrial fitness, and replicative lifespan. Transcriptome analysis revealed a role for YKL075C in regulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. Consistent with this, modulation of BCAA metabolism or decreasing leucine levels promotes actin cable stability and function in mitochondrial quality control. Our studies support a role for actin stability in yeast lifespan, and demonstrate that this process is controlled by BCAA and a previously uncharacterized ORF YKL075C, which we refer to as actin, aging and nutrient modulator protein 1 (AAN1).

Actin cables affect lifespan by supporting movement and inheritance of fitter mitochondria to daughter cells in yeast. Here the authors show that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels affect actin cable stability and a role for YKL075C/AAN1 in control of BCAA metabolism and actin cable stability and function.

Scaling of subcellular actin structures with cell length through decelerated growth

How cells tune the size of their subcellular parts to scale with cell size is a fundamental question in cell biology. Until now, most studies on the size control of organelles and other subcellular structures have focused on scaling relationships with cell volume, which can be explained by limiting pool mechanisms. Here, we uncover a distinct scaling relationship with cell length rather than volume, revealed by mathematical modeling and quantitative imaging of yeast actin cables. The extension rate of cables decelerates as they approach the rear of the cell, until cable length matches cell length. Further, the deceleration rate scales with cell length. These observations are quantitatively explained by a ‘balance-point’ model, which stands in contrast to limiting pool mechanisms, and describes a distinct mode of self-assembly that senses the linear dimensions of the cell.

Type V myosin focuses the polarisome and shapes the tip of yeast cells

The polarisome is a cortical proteinaceous microcompartment that organizes the growth of actin filaments and the fusion of secretory vesicles in yeasts and filamentous fungi. Polarisomes are compact, spotlike structures at the growing tips of their respective cells. The molecular forces that control the form and size of this microcompartment are not known. Here we identify a complex between the polarisome subunit Pea2 and the type V Myosin Myo2 that anchors Myo2 at the cortex of yeast cells. We discovered a point mutation in the cargo-binding domain of Myo2 that impairs the interaction with Pea2 and consequently the formation and focused localization of the polarisome. Cells carrying this mutation grow round instead of elongated buds. Further experiments and biophysical modeling suggest that the interactions between polarisome-bound Myo2 motors and dynamic actin filaments spatially focus the polarisome and sustain its compact shape.

Bil2 Is a Novel Inhibitor of the Yeast Formin Bnr1 Required for Proper Actin Cable Organization and Polarized Secretion

Cell growth in budding yeast depends on rapid and on-going assembly and turnover of polarized actin cables, which direct intracellular transport of post-Golgi vesicles to the bud tip. Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin cables are polymerized by two formins, Bni1 and Bnr1. Bni1 assembles cables in the bud, while Bnr1 is anchored to the bud neck and assembles cables that specifically extend filling the mother cell. Here, we report a formin regulatory role for YGL015c, a previously uncharacterized open reading frame, which we have named Bud6 Interacting Ligand 2 (BIL2). bil2Δ cells display defects in actin cable architecture and partially-impaired secretory vesicle transport. Bil2 inhibits Bnr1-mediated actin filament nucleation in vitro, yet has no effect on the rate of Bnr1-mediated filament elongation. This activity profile for Bil2 resembles that of another yeast formin regulator, the F-BAR protein Hof1, and we find that bil2Δ with hof1Δ are synthetic lethal. Unlike Hof1, which localizes exclusively to the bud neck, GFP-Bil2 localizes to the cytosol, secretory vesicles, and sites of polarized cell growth. Further, we provide evidence that Hof1 and Bil2 inhibitory effects on Bnr1 are overcome by distinct mechanisms. Together, our results suggest that Bil2 and Hof1 perform distinct yet genetically complementary roles in inhibiting the actin nucleation activity of Bnr1 to control actin cable assembly and polarized secretion.

Orchestrated actin nucleation by the Candida albicans polarisome complex enables filamentous growth

Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that converts from a yeast form to a hyphae form during infection. This switch requires the formation of actin cable to coordinate polarized cell growth. It's known that nucleation of this cable requires a multiprotein complex localized at the tip called the polarisome, but the mechanisms underpinning this process were unclear. Here, we found that C. albicans Aip5, a homolog of polarisome component ScAip5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that nucleates actin polymerization and synergizes with the formin ScBni1, regulates actin assembly and hyphae growth synergistically with other polarisome proteins Bni1, Bud6, and Spa2. The C terminus of Aip5 binds directly to G-actin, Bni1, and the C-terminal of Bud6, which form the core of the nucleation complex to polymerize F-actin. Based on insights from structural biology and molecular dynamic simulations, we propose a possible complex conformation of the actin nucleation core, which provides cooperative positioning and supports the synergistic actin nucleation activity of a tri-protein complex Bni1-Bud6-Aip5. Together with known interactions of Bni1 with Bud6 and Aip5 in S. cerevisiae, our findings unravel molecular mechanisms of C. albicans by which the tri-protein complex coordinates the actin nucleation in actin cable assembly and hyphal growth, which is likely a conserved mechanism in different filamentous fungi and yeast.

A septin-Hof1 scaffold at the yeast bud neck binds and organizes actin cables

Cellular actin arrays are often highly organized, with characteristic patterns critical to their in vivo functions, yet the mechanisms for establishing these higher order geometries remain poorly understood. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, formin-polymerized actin cables are spatially organized and aligned along the mother–bud axis to facilitate polarized vesicle traffic. Here, we show that the bud neck–associated F-BAR protein Hof1, independent of its functions in regulating the formin Bnr1, binds to actin filaments and organizes actin cables in vivo. Hof1 bundles actin filaments and links them to septins in vitro. F-actin binding is mediated by the “linker” domain of Hof1, and its deletion leads to cable organization defects in vivo. Using superresolution imaging, we show that Hof1 and septins are patterned at the bud neck into evenly spaced axial pillars (∼200 nm apart), from which actin cables emerge and grow into the mother cell. These results suggest that Hof1, while bound to septins at the bud neck, not only regulates Bnr1 activity, but also binds to actin cables and aligns them along the mother–bud axis. More broadly, these findings provide a strong example of how an actin regulatory protein can be spatially patterned at the cell cortex to govern actin network geometry.

Mechanistic insights into actin-driven polarity site movement in yeast

Directed cell growth or migration are critical for the development and function of many eukaryotic cells. These cells develop a dynamic "front" (also called "polarity site") that can change direction. Polarity establishment involves autocatalytic accumulation of polarity regulators, including the conserved Rho-family GTPase Cdc42, but the mechanisms underlying polarity reorientation remain poorly understood. The tractable model yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, relocates its polarity site when searching for mating partners. Relocation requires polymerized actin, and is thought to involve actin-mediated vesicle traffic to the polarity site. In this study, we provide a quantitative characterization of spontaneous polarity site movement as a search process and use a mechanistic computational model that combines polarity protein biochemical interactions with vesicle trafficking to probe how various processes might affect polarity site movement. Our findings identify two previously documented features of yeast vesicle traffic as being particularly relevant to such movement: tight spatial focusing of exocytosis enhances the directional persistence of movement, and association of Cdc42-directed GTPase-Activating Proteins with secretory vesicles increases the distance moved. Furthermore, we suggest that variation in the rate of exocytosis beyond simple Poisson dynamics may be needed to fully account for the characteristics of polarity site movement in vivo.

Genetically inspired in vitro reconstitution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin cables from seven purified proteins

A major goal of synthetic biology is to define the minimal cellular machinery required to assemble a biological structure in its simplest form. Here, we focused on Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin cables, which provide polarized tracks for intracellular transport and maintain defined lengths while continuously undergoing rapid assembly and turnover. Guided by the genetic requirements for proper cable assembly and dynamics, we show that seven evolutionarily conserved S. cerevisiae proteins (actin, formin, profilin, tropomyosin, capping protein, cofilin, and AIP1) are sufficient to reconstitute the formation of cables that undergo polarized turnover and maintain steady-state lengths similar to actin cables in vivo. Further, the removal of individual proteins from this simple in vitro reconstitution system leads to cable defects that closely approximate in vivo cable phenotypes caused by disrupting the corresponding genes. Thus, a limited set of molecular components is capable of self-organizing into dynamic, micron-scale actin structures with features similar to cables in living cells.

The Limiting-Pool Mechanism Fails to Control the Size of Multiple Organelles

How the size of micrometer-scale cellular structures such as the mitotic spindle, cytoskeletal filaments, the nucleus, the nucleolus, and other non-membrane bound organelles is controlled despite a constant turnover of their constituent parts is a central problem in biology. Experiments have implicated the limiting-pool mechanism: structures grow by stochastic addition of molecular subunits from a finite pool until the rates of subunit addition and removal are balanced, producing a structure of well-defined size. Here, we consider these dynamics when multiple filamentous structures are assembled stochastically from a shared pool of subunits. Using analytical calculations and computer simulations, we show that robust size control can be achieved only when a single filament is assembled. When multiple filaments compete for monomers, filament lengths exhibit large fluctuations. These results extend to three-dimensional structures and reveal the physical limitations of the limiting-pool mechanism of size control when multiple organelles are assembled from a shared pool of subunits.

The actin motor MYO-5 effect in the intracellular organization of Neurospora crassa

In filamentous fungi, polarized growth is the result of vesicle secretion at the hyphal apex. Motor proteins mediate vesicle transport to target destinations on the plasma membrane via actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Myosins are motor proteins associated with actin filaments. Specifically, class V myosins are responsible for cargo transport in eukaryotes. We studied the dynamics and localization of myosin V in wild type hyphae of Neurospora crassa and in hyphae that lacked MYO-5. In wild type hyphae, MYO-5-GFP was localized concentrated in the hyphal apex and colocalized with Spitzenkörper. Photobleaching studies showed that MYO-5-GFP was transported to the apex from subapical hyphal regions. The deletion of the class V myosin resulted in a reduced rate of hyphal growth, apical hyperbranching, and intermittent loss of hyphal polarity. MYO-5 did not participate in breaking the symmetrical growth during germination but contributed in the apical organization upon establishment of polarized growth. In the Δmyo-5 mutant, actin was organized into thick cables in the apical and subapical hyphal regions, and the number of endocytic patches was reduced. The microvesicles-chitosomes observed with CHS-1-GFP were distributed as a cloud occupying the apical dome and not in the Spitzenkörper as the WT strain. The mitochondrial movement was not associated with MYO-5, but tubular vacuole position is MYO-5-dependent. These results suggest that MYO-5 plays a role in maintaining apical organization and the integrity of the Spitzenkörper and is required for normal hyphal growth, polarity, septation, conidiation, and proper conidial germination.

Integrated control of formin-mediated actin assembly by a stationary inhibitor and a mobile activator

This study shows that in vivo actin nucleation by the yeast formin Bnr1 is controlled through the coordinated effects of two distinct regulators, a stationary inhibitor (the F-BAR protein Hof1) and a mobile activator (Bud6), establishing a positive feedback loop for precise spatial and temporal control of actin assembly.

Formins are essential actin assembly factors whose activities are controlled by a diverse array of binding partners. Until now, most formin ligands have been studied on an individual basis, leaving open the question of how multiple inputs are integrated to regulate formins in vivo. Here, we show that the F-BAR domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hof1 interacts with the FH2 domain of the formin Bnr1 and blocks actin nucleation. Electron microscopy of the Hof1–Bnr1 complex reveals a novel dumbbell-shaped structure, with the tips of the F-BAR holding two FH2 dimers apart. Deletion of Hof1’s F-BAR domain in vivo results in disorganized actin cables and secretory defects. The formin-binding protein Bud6 strongly alleviates Hof1 inhibition in vitro, and bud6Δ suppresses hof1Δ defects in vivo. Whereas Hof1 stably resides at the bud neck, we show that Bud6 is delivered to the neck on secretory vesicles. We propose that Hof1 and Bud6 functions are intertwined as a stationary inhibitor and a mobile activator, respectively.

Tropomyosin and Profilin Cooperate to Promote Formin-Mediated Actin Nucleation and Drive Yeast Actin Cable Assembly

Tropomyosins comprise a large family of actin-binding proteins with critical roles in diverse actin-based processes [1], but our understanding of how they mechanistically contribute to actin filament dynamics has been limited. We addressed this question in S. cerevisiae, where tropomyosins (Tpm1 and Tpm2), profilin (Pfy1), and formins (Bni1 and Bnr1) are required for the assembly of an array of actin cables that facilitate polarized vesicle delivery and daughter cell growth. Formins drive cable formation by promoting actin nucleation and by accelerating actin filament elongation together with profilin [2]. In contrast, how tropomyosins contribute mechanistically to cable formation has been unclear, but genetic studies demonstrate that Tpm1 plays a more important role than Tpm2 [3, 4]. Here, we found that loss of TPM1 in strains lacking BNR1, but not BNI1, leads to severe defects in cable formation, polarized secretion, and cell growth, suggesting that TPM1 function is required for proper Bni1-mediated cable assembly. Furthermore, in vitro total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy demonstrated that Tpm1 strongly enhances Bni1-mediated, but not Bnr1-mediated, actin nucleation without affecting filament elongation rate, whereas Tpm2 has no effects on Bni1 or Bnr1. Tpm1 stimulation of Bni1-mediated nucleation also requires profilin and its interactions with both G-actin and formins. Together, these results demonstrate that yeast Tpm1 works in concert with profilin to promote formin-dependent nucleation of actin cables, thus expanding our understanding of how specific tropomyosin isoforms influence actin dynamics.

Design Principles of Length Control of Cytoskeletal Structures

Cells contain elaborate and interconnected networks of protein polymers, which make up the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton governs the internal positioning and movement of vesicles and organelles and controls dynamic changes in cell polarity, shape, and movement. Many of these processes require tight control of the size and shape of cytoskeletal structures, which is achieved despite rapid turnover of their molecular components. Here we review mechanisms by which cells control the size of filamentous cytoskeletal structures, from the point of view of simple quantitative models that take into account stochastic dynamics of their assembly and disassembly. Significantly, these models make experimentally testable predictions that distinguish different mechanisms of length control. Although the primary focus of this review is on cytoskeletal structures, we believe that the broader principles and mechanisms discussed herein will apply to a range of other subcellular structures whose sizes are tightly controlled and are linked to their functions.

Formaldehyde fixation is detrimental to actin cables in glucose-depleted S. cerevisiae cells

Actin filaments form cortical patches and emanating cables in fermenting cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This pattern has been shown to be depolarized in glucose-depleted cells after formaldehyde fixation and staining with rhodamine-tagged phalloidin. Loss of actin cables in mother cells was remarkable. Here we extend our knowledge on actin in live glucose-depleted cells co-expressing the marker of actin patches (Abp1-RFP) with the marker of actin cables (Abp140-GFP). Glucose depletion resulted in appearance of actin patches also in mother cells. However, even after 80 min of glucose deprivation these cells showed a clear network of actin cables labeled with Abp140-GFP in contrast to previously published data. In live cells with a mitochondrial dysfunction (rho⁰ cells), glucose depletion resulted in almost immediate appearance of Abp140-GFP foci partially overlapping with Abp1-RFP patches in mother cells. Residual actin cables were clustered in patch-associated bundles. A similar overlapping “patchy” pattern of both actin markers was observed upon treatment of glucose-deprived rho⁺ cells with FCCP (the inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation) and upon treatment with formaldehyde. While the formaldehyde-targeted process stays unknown, our results indicate that published data on yeast actin cytoskeleton obtained from glucose-depleted cells after fixation should be considered with caution.

Fimbrin phosphorylation by metaphase Cdk1 regulates actin cable dynamics in budding yeast

Actin cables, composed of actin filament bundles nucleated by formins, mediate intracellular transport for cell polarity establishment and maintenance. We previously observed that metaphase cells preferentially promote actin cable assembly through cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) activity. However, the relevant metaphase Cdk1 targets were not known. Here we show that the highly conserved actin filament crosslinking protein fimbrin is a critical Cdk1 target for actin cable assembly regulation in budding yeast. Fimbrin is specifically phosphorylated on threonine 103 by the metaphase cyclin–Cdk1 complex, in vivo and in vitro. On the basis of conformational simulations, we suggest that this phosphorylation stabilizes fimbrin's N-terminal domain, and modulates actin filament binding to regulate actin cable assembly and stability in cells. Overall, this work identifies fimbrin as a key target for cell cycle regulation of actin cable assembly in budding yeast, and suggests an underlying mechanism.

Metaphase cells preferentially promote actin cable assembly through cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) activity. Here the authors identify fimbrin as one of the main metaphase Cdk1 targets for cell cycle regulation of actin cable assembly in budding yeast.

Role of Polarized G Protein Signaling in Tracking Pheromone Gradients

Yeast cells track gradients of pheromones to locate mating partners. Intuition suggests that uniform distribution of pheromone receptors over the cell surface would yield optimal gradient sensing. However, yeast cells display polarized receptors. The benefit of such polarization was unknown. During gradient tracking, cell growth is directed by a patch of polarity regulators that wanders around the cortex. Patch movement is sensitive to pheromone dose, with wandering reduced on the up-gradient side of the cell, resulting in net growth in that direction. Mathematical modeling suggests that active receptors and associated G proteins lag behind the polarity patch and act as an effective drag on patch movement. In vivo, the polarity patch is trailed by a G protein-rich domain, and this polarized distribution of G proteins is required to constrain patch wandering. Our findings explain why G protein polarization is beneficial and illuminate a novel mechanism for gradient tracking.

Comparison of [corrected] actin- and glass-supported phospholipid bilayer diffusion coefficients

The formation of biomimetic lipid membranes has the potential to provide insights into cellular lipid membrane dynamics. The construction of such membranes necessitates not only the utilization of appropriate lipids, but also physiologically relevant substrate/support materials. The substrate materials employed have been shown to have demonstrable effects on the behavior of the overlying lipid membrane, and thus must be studied before use as a model cushion support. To our knowledge, we report the formation and investigation of a novel actin protein-supported lipid membrane. Specifically, inner leaflet lateral mobility of globular actin-supported DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) bilayers, deposited via the Langmuir-Blodgett/Langmuir Schaefer methodology, was investigated by z-scan fluorescence correlation spectroscopy across a temperature range of 20-44°C. The actin substrate was found to decrease the diffusion coefficient when compared to an identical membrane supported on glass. The depression of the diffusion coefficient occurred across all measured temperatures. These results indicated that the actin substrate exerted a direct effect on the fluidity of the lipid membrane and highlighted the fact that the choice of substrate/support is critical in studies of model lipid membranes.

Common formin-regulating sequences in Smy1 and Bud14 are required for the control of actin cable assembly in vivo

Formins comprise a large family of proteins with diverse roles in remodeling the actin cytoskeleton. However, the spatiotemporal mechanisms used by cells to control formin activities are only beginning to be understood. Here we dissected Smy1, which has dual roles in regulating formins and myosin. Using mutagenesis, we identified specific sequences in Smy1 critical for its in vitro inhibitory effects on the FH2 domain of the formin Bnr1. By integrating smy1 alleles targeting those sequences, we genetically uncoupled Smy1's functions in regulating formins and myosin. Quantitative imaging analysis further demonstrated that the ability of Smy1 to directly control Bnr1 activity is crucial in vivo for proper actin cable length, shape, and velocity and, in turn, efficient secretory vesicle transport. A Smy1-like sequence motif was also identified in a different Bnr1 regulator, Bud14, and found to be essential for Bud14 functions in regulating actin cable architecture and function in vivo. Together these observations reveal unanticipated mechanistic ties between two distinct formin regulators. Further, they emphasize the importance of tightly controlling formin activities in vivo to generate specialized geometries and dynamics of actin structures tailored to their physiological roles.

Computational model of polarized actin cables and cytokinetic actin ring formation in budding yeast

The budding yeast actin cables and contractile ring are important for polarized growth and division, revealing basic aspects of cytoskeletal function. To study these formin-nucleated structures, we built a three-dimensional (3D) computational model with actin filaments represented as beads connected by springs. Polymerization by formins at the bud tip and bud neck, crosslinking, severing, and myosin pulling, are included. Parameter values were estimated from prior experiments. The model generates actin cable structures and dynamics similar to those of wild type and formin deletion mutant cells. Simulations with increased polymerization rate result in long, wavy cables. Simulated pulling by type V myosin stretches actin cables. Increasing the affinity of actin filaments for the bud neck together with reduced myosin V pulling promotes the formation of a bundle of antiparallel filaments at the bud neck, which we suggest as a model for the assembly of actin filaments to the contractile ring.

The Stationary-Phase Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Display Dynamic Actin Filaments Required for Processes Extending Chronological Life Span

Stationary-growth-phase Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cultures consist of nondividing cells that undergo chronological aging. For their successful survival, the turnover of proteins and organelles, ensured by autophagy and the activation of mitochondria, is performed. Some of these processes are engaged in by the actin cytoskeleton. In S. cerevisiae stationary-phase cells, F actin has been shown to form static aggregates named actin bodies, subsequently cited to be markers of quiescence. Our in vivo analyses revealed that stationary-phase cultures contain cells with dynamic actin filaments, besides the cells with static actin bodies. The cells with dynamic actin displayed active endocytosis and autophagy and well-developed mitochondrial networks. Even more, stationary-phase cell cultures grown under calorie restriction predominantly contained cells with actin cables, confirming that the presence of actin cables is linked to successful adaptation to stationary phase. Cells with actin bodies were inactive in endocytosis and autophagy and displayed aberrations in mitochondrial networks. Notably, cells of the respiratory activity-deficient cox4Δ strain displayed the same mitochondrial aberrations and actin bodies only. Additionally, our results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction precedes the formation of actin bodies and the appearance of actin bodies corresponds to decreased cell fitness. We conclude that the F-actin status reflects the extent of damage that arises from exponential growth.

Combinatorial genetic analysis of a network of actin disassembly-promoting factors

The patterning of actin cytoskeleton structures in vivo is a product of spatially and temporally regulated polymer assembly balanced by polymer disassembly. While in recent years our understanding of actin assembly mechanisms has grown immensely, our knowledge of actin disassembly machinery and mechanisms has remained comparatively sparse. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an ideal system to tackle this problem, both because of its amenabilities to genetic manipulation and live‐cell imaging and because only a single gene encodes each of the core disassembly factors: cofilin (COF1), Srv2/CAP (SRV2), Aip1 (AIP1), GMF (GMF1/AIM7), coronin (CRN1), and twinfilin (TWF1). Among these six factors, only the functions of cofilin are essential and have been well defined. Here, we investigated the functions of the nonessential actin disassembly factors by performing genetic and live‐cell imaging analyses on a combinatorial set of isogenic single, double, triple, and quadruple mutants in S. cerevisiae. Our results show that each disassembly factor makes an important contribution to cell viability, actin organization, and endocytosis. Further, our data reveal new relationships among these factors, providing insights into how they work together to orchestrate actin turnover. Finally, we observe specific combinations of mutations that are lethal, e.g., srv2Δ aip1Δ and srv2Δ crn1Δ twf1Δ, demonstrating that while cofilin is essential, it is not sufficient in vivo, and that combinations of the other disassembly factors perform vital functions. © 2015 The Authors. Cytoskeleton Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Antenna Mechanism of Length Control of Actin Cables

Actin cables are linear cytoskeletal structures that serve as tracks for myosin-based intracellular transport of vesicles and organelles in both yeast and mammalian cells. In a yeast cell undergoing budding, cables are in constant dynamic turnover yet some cables grow from the bud neck toward the back of the mother cell until their length roughly equals the diameter of the mother cell. This raises the question: how is the length of these cables controlled? Here we describe a novel molecular mechanism for cable length control inspired by recent experimental observations in cells. This “antenna mechanism” involves three key proteins: formins, which polymerize actin, Smy1 proteins, which bind formins and inhibit actin polymerization, and myosin motors, which deliver Smy1 to formins, leading to a length-dependent actin polymerization rate. We compute the probability distribution of cable lengths as a function of several experimentally tuneable parameters such as the formin-binding affinity of Smy1 and the concentration of myosin motors delivering Smy1. These results provide testable predictions of the antenna mechanism of actin-cable length control.

Based on published cell experiments, we propose a novel mechanism of length control of actin cables in budding yeast cells. The key feature of this “antenna mechanism” is negative feedback of the cable length on the activity of formins, which are proteins that attach to the growing ends of actin filaments and catalyse their polymerization. We recently showed that the protein Smy1 is critical for maintaining proper cable length in yeast cells. Smy1 proteins are delivered to the formins by directed motion of myosin motors toward the growing end, and they transiently inhibit actin cable polymerization when bound to the formins. This provides negative feedback resulting in an average rate of cable assembly that diminishes with cable length. Here we incorporate this antenna mechanism into a physical model of cable polymerization and provide experimentally testable predictions for the dependence of the length distribution of cables on the concentration of Smy1, and on mutations that affect its affinity to formins.

Architecture dependence of actin filament network disassembly

Turnover of actin networks in cells requires the fast disassembly of aging actin structures. While ADF/cofilin and Aip1 have been identified as central players, how their activities are modulated by the architecture of the networks remains unknown. Using our ability to reconstitute a diverse array of cellular actin organizations, we found that ADF/cofilin binding and ADF/cofilin-mediated disassembly both depend on actin geometrical organization. ADF/cofilin decorates strongly and stabilizes actin cables, whereas its weaker interaction to Arp2/3 complex networks is correlated with their dismantling and their reorganization into stable architectures. Cooperation of ADF/cofilin with Aip1 is necessary to trigger the full disassembly of all actin filament networks. Additional experiments performed at the single-molecule level indicate that this cooperation is optimal above a threshold of 23 molecules of ADF/cofilin bound as clusters along an actin filament. Our results indicate that although ADF/cofilin is able to dismantle selectively branched networks through severing and debranching, stochastic disassembly of actin filaments by ADF/cofilin and Aip1 represents an efficient alternative pathway for the full disassembly of all actin networks. Our data support a model in which the binding of ADF/cofilin is required to trigger a structural change of the actin filaments, as a prerequisite for their disassembly by Aip1.

Building a patchwork - The yeast plasma membrane as model to study lateral domain formation

The plasma membrane (PM) has to fulfill a wide range of biological functions including selective uptake of substances, signal transduction and modulation of cell polarity and cell shape. To allow efficient regulation of these processes many resident proteins and lipids of the PM are laterally segregated into different functional domains. A particularly striking example of lateral segregation has been described for the budding yeast PM, where integral membrane proteins as well as lipids exhibit very slow translational mobility and form a patchwork of many overlapping micron-sized domains. Here we discuss the molecular and physical mechanisms contributing to the formation of a multi-domain membrane and review our current understanding of yeast PM organization. Many of the fundamental principles underlying membrane self-assembly and organization identified in yeast are expected to equally hold true in other organisms, even for the more transient and elusive organization of the PM in mammalian cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nanoscale membrane organisation and signalling.

The F-BAR protein Hof1 tunes formin activity to sculpt actin cables during polarized growth

Asymmetric cell growth and division rely on polarized actin cytoskeleton remodeling events, the regulation of which is poorly understood. In budding yeast, formins stimulate the assembly of an organized network of actin cables that direct polarized secretion. Here we show that the Fer/Cip4 homology-Bin amphiphysin Rvs protein Hof1, which has known roles in cytokinesis, also functions during polarized growth by directly controlling the activities of the formin Bnr1. A mutant lacking the C-terminal half of Hof1 displays misoriented and architecturally altered cables, along with impaired secretory vesicle traffic. In vitro, Hof1 inhibits the actin nucleation and elongation activities of Bnr1 without displacing the formin from filament ends. These effects depend on the Src homology 3 domain of Hof1, the formin homology 1 (FH1) domain of Bnr1, and Hof1 dimerization, suggesting a mechanism by which Hof1 "restrains" the otherwise flexible FH1-FH2 apparatus. In vivo, loss of inhibition does not alter actin levels in cables but, instead, cable shape and functionality. Thus Hof1 tunes formins to sculpt the actin cable network.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kelch proteins and Bud14 protein form a stable 520-kDa formin regulatory complex that controls actin cable assembly and cell morphogenesis

Formins perform essential roles in actin assembly and organization in vivo, but they also require tight regulation of their activities to produce properly functioning actin structures. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bud14 is one member of an emerging class of formin regulators that target the FH2 domain to inhibit actin polymerization, but little is known about how these regulators are themselves controlled in vivo. Kelch proteins are critical for cell polarity and morphogenesis in a wide range of organisms, but their mechanistic roles in these processes are still largely undefined. Here, we report that S. cerevisiae Kelch proteins, Kel1 and Kel2, associate with Bud14 in cell extracts to form a stable 520-kDa complex with an apparent stoichiometry of 2:2:1 Bud14/Kel1/Kel2. Using pairwise combinations of GFP- and red fluorescent protein-tagged proteins, we show that Kel1, Kel2, and Bud14 interdependently co-localize at polarity sites. By analyzing single, double, and triple mutants, we show that Kel1 and Kel2 function in the same pathway as Bud14 in regulating Bnr1-mediated actin cable formation. Loss of any component of the complex results in long, bent, and hyper-stable actin cables, accompanied by defects in secretory vesicle traffic during polarized growth and septum formation during cytokinesis. These observations directly link S. cerevisiae Kelch proteins to the control of formin activity, and together with previous observations made for S. pombe homologues tea1p and tea3p, they have broad implications for understanding Kelch function in other systems.

The novel proteins Rng8 and Rng9 regulate the myosin-V Myo51 during fission yeast cytokinesis

The myosin-V family of molecular motors is known to be under sophisticated regulation, but our knowledge of the roles and regulation of myosin-Vs in cytokinesis is limited. Here, we report that the myosin-V Myo51 affects contractile ring assembly and stability during fission yeast cytokinesis, and is regulated by two novel coiled-coil proteins, Rng8 and Rng9. Both rng8Δ and rng9Δ cells display similar defects as myo51Δ in cytokinesis. Rng8 and Rng9 are required for Myo51's localizations to cytoplasmic puncta, actin cables, and the contractile ring. Myo51 puncta contain multiple Myo51 molecules and walk continuously on actin filaments in rng8(+) cells, whereas Myo51 forms speckles containing only one dimer and does not move efficiently on actin tracks in rng8Δ. Consistently, Myo51 transports artificial cargos efficiently in vivo, and this activity is regulated by Rng8. Purified Rng8 and Rng9 form stable higher-order complexes. Collectively, we propose that Rng8 and Rng9 form oligomers and cluster multiple Myo51 dimers to regulate Myo51 localization and functions.

Molecular handoffs in nitrergic neurotransmission

Postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins in excitatory synapses are relatively immobile components, while there is a structured organization of mobile scaffolding proteins lying beneath the PSDs. For example, shank proteins are located further away from the membrane in the cytosolic faces of the PSDs, facing the actin cytoskeleton. The rationale of this organization may be related to important roles of these proteins as “exchange hubs” for the signaling proteins for their migration from the subcortical cytosol to the membrane. Notably, PSD95 have also been demonstrated in prejunctional nerve terminals of nitrergic neuronal varicosities traversing the gastrointestinal smooth muscles. It has been recently reported that motor proteins like myosin Va play important role in transcytosis of nNOS. In this review, the hypothesis is forwarded that nNOS delivered to subcortical cytoskeleton requires interactions with scaffolding proteins prior to docking at the membrane. This may involve significant role of “shank,” named for SRC-homology (SH3) and multiple ankyrin repeat domains, in nitric oxide synthesis. Dynein light chain LC8–nNOS from acto-myosin Va is possibly exchanged with shank, which thereafter facilitates transposition of nNOS for binding with palmitoyl-PSD95 at the nerve terminal membrane. Shank knockout mice, which present with features of autism spectrum disorders, may help delineate the role of shank in enteric nitrergic neuromuscular transmission. Deletion of shank3 in humans is a monogenic cause of autism called Phelan–McDermid syndrome. One fourth of these patients present with cyclical vomiting, which may be explained by junctionopathy resulting from shank deficit in enteric nitrergic nerve terminals.

The yeast actin cytoskeleton

The actin cytoskeleton is a complex network of dynamic polymers, which plays an important role in various fundamental cellular processes, including maintenance of cell shape, polarity, cell division, cell migration, endocytosis, vesicular trafficking, and mechanosensation. Precise spatiotemporal assembly and disassembly of actin structures is regulated by the coordinated activity of about 100 highly conserved accessory proteins, which nucleate, elongate, cross-link, and sever actin filaments. Both in vivo studies in a wide range of organisms from yeast to metazoans and in vitro studies of purified proteins have helped shape the current understanding of actin dynamics and function. Molecular genetics, genome-wide functional analysis, sophisticated real-time imaging, and ultrastructural studies in concert with biochemical analysis have made yeast an attractive model to understand the actin cytoskeleton, its molecular dynamics, and physiological function. Studies of the yeast actin cytoskeleton have contributed substantially in defining the universal mechanism regulating actin assembly and disassembly in eukaryotes. Here, we review some of the important insights generated by the study of actin cytoskeleton in two important yeast models the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The availability of filament ends modulates actin stochastic dynamics in live plant cells

A network of individual filaments that undergoes incessant remodeling through a process known as stochastic dynamics comprises the cortical actin cytoskeleton in plant epidermal cells. From images at high spatial and temporal resolution, it has been inferred that the regulation of filament barbed ends plays a central role in choreographing actin organization and turnover. How this occurs at a molecular level, whether different populations of ends exist in the array, and how individual filament behavior correlates with the overall architecture of the array are unknown. Here we develop an experimental system to modulate the levels of heterodimeric capping protein (CP) and examine the consequences for actin dynamics, architecture, and cell expansion. Significantly, we find that all phenotypes are the opposite for CP-overexpression (OX) cells compared with a previously characterized cp-knockdown line. Specifically, CP OX lines have fewer filament-filament annealing events, as well as reduced filament lengths and lifetimes. Further, cp-knockdown and OX lines demonstrate the existence of a subpopulation of filament ends sensitive to CP concentration. Finally, CP levels correlate with the biological process of axial cell expansion; for example, epidermal cells from hypocotyls with reduced CP are longer than wild-type cells, whereas CP OX lines have shorter cells. On the basis of these and other genetic studies in this model system, we hypothesize that filament length and lifetime positively correlate with the extent of axial cell expansion in dark-grown hypocotyls.

GDI-mediated cell polarization in yeast provides precise spatial and temporal control of Cdc42 signaling

Cell polarization is a prerequisite for essential processes such as cell migration, proliferation or differentiation. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae under control of the GTPase Cdc42 is able to polarize without the help of cytoskeletal structures and spatial cues through a pathway depending on its guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) Rdi1. To develop a fundamental understanding of yeast polarization we establish a detailed mechanistic model of GDI-mediated polarization. We show that GDI-mediated polarization provides precise spatial and temporal control of Cdc42 signaling and give experimental evidence for our findings. Cell cycle induced changes of Cdc42 regulation enhance positive feedback loops of active Cdc42 production, and thereby allow simultaneous switch-like regulation of focused polarity and Cdc42 activation. This regulation drives the direct formation of a unique polarity cluster with characteristic narrowing dynamics, as opposed to the previously proposed competition between transient clusters. As the key components of the studied system are conserved among eukaryotes, we expect our findings also to apply to cell polarization in other organisms.

Cell polarization is a fundamental cellular process that defines a single orientation axis within prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells and is a prerequisite for developmental processes such as cell migration, proliferation or differentiation. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell polarization determines the position of a new growth or bud site. Although many studies have focused on identifying polarity regulators and their interactions, the fundamental mechanisms and features of cell polarity still remain controversial. Here, we develop a detailed mathematical model of diffusion-driven cell polarization, which we verify experimentally. We show that this polarization mechanism provides precise spatial and temporal control of signals, which determine the place of a new growth site. Changes induced by the cell cycle allow simultaneous switch-like regulation of polarization and activation of the GTPase Cdc42, the central polarity regulator which initiates formation of a new bud. This regulation drives direct formation of a unique Cdc42 cluster with characteristic narrowing dynamics and robustly narrow spatial focus. Hence, our analysis reveals fundamental design principles that allow cell polarization to reliably initiate developmental processes at a specific time and place. As the key components of the studied system are conserved among eukaryotes, we expect our findings also to apply to cell polarization in other organisms.

Understanding myosin functions in plants: are we there yet?

Myosins are motor proteins that drive movements along actin filaments and have long been assumed to be responsible for cytoplasmic streaming in plant cells. This conjecture is now firmly established by genetic analysis in the reference species, Arabidopsis thaliana. This work and similar approaches in the moss, Physcomitrella patens, also established that myosin-driven movements are necessary for cell growth and polarity, organelle distribution and shape, and actin organization and dynamics. Identification of a mechanistic link between intracellular movements and cell expansion has proven more challenging, not the least because of the high level of apparent genetic redundancy among myosin family members. Recent progress in the creation of functional complementation constructs and identification of interaction partners promises a way out of this dilemma.

Actin dynamics in the cortical array of plant cells

The actin cytoskeleton changes in organization and dynamics as cellular functions are reprogrammed following responses to diverse stimuli, hormones, and developmental cues. How this is choreographed and what molecular players are involved in actin remodeling continues to be an area of intense scrutiny. Advances in imaging modalities and fluorescent fusion protein reporters have illuminated the strikingly dynamic behavior of single actin filaments at high spatial and temporal resolutions. This led to a model for the stochastic dynamic turnover of actin filaments and predicted the actions and responsibilities of several key actin-binding proteins. Recently, aspects of this model have been tested using powerful genetic strategies in both Arabidopsis and Physcomitrella. Collectively, the latest data emphasize the importance of filament severing activities and regulation of barbed-end availability as key facets of plant actin filament turnover.

Cell-cycle regulation of formin-mediated actin cable assembly

Assembly of appropriately oriented actin cables nucleated by formin proteins is necessary for many biological processes in diverse eukaryotes. However, compared with knowledge of how nucleation of dendritic actin filament arrays by the actin-related protein-2/3 complex is regulated, the in vivo regulatory mechanisms for actin cable formation are less clear. To gain insights into mechanisms for regulating actin cable assembly, we reconstituted the assembly process in vitro by introducing microspheres functionalized with the C terminus of the budding yeast formin Bni1 into extracts prepared from yeast cells at different cell-cycle stages. EM studies showed that unbranched actin filament bundles were reconstituted successfully in the yeast extracts. Only extracts enriched in the mitotic cyclin Clb2 were competent for actin cable assembly, and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activity was indispensible. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activity also was found to regulate cable assembly in vivo. Here we present evidence that formin cell-cycle regulation is conserved in vertebrates. The use of the cable-reconstitution system to test roles for the key actin-binding proteins tropomyosin, capping protein, and cofilin provided important insights into assembly regulation. Furthermore, using mass spectrometry, we identified components of the actin cables formed in yeast extracts, providing the basis for comprehensive understanding of cable assembly and regulation.

Myosin XIK of Arabidopsis thaliana accumulates at the root hair tip and is required for fast root hair growth

Myosin motor proteins are thought to carry out important functions in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity by moving cellular components such as organelles, vesicles, or protein complexes along the actin cytoskeleton. In Arabidopsis thaliana, disruption of the myosin XIK gene leads to reduced elongation of the highly polar root hairs, suggesting that the encoded motor protein is involved in this cell growth. Detailed live-cell observations in this study revealed that xik root hairs elongated more slowly and stopped growth sooner than those in wild type. Overall cellular organization including the actin cytoskeleton appeared normal, but actin filament dynamics were reduced in the mutant. Accumulation of RabA4b-containing vesicles, on the other hand, was not significantly different from wild type. A functional YFP-XIK fusion protein that could complement the mutant phenotype accumulated at the tip of growing root hairs in an actin-dependent manner. The distribution of YFP-XIK at the tip, however, did not match that of the ER or several tip-enriched markers including CFP-RabA4b. We conclude that the myosin XIK is required for normal actin dynamics and plays a role in the subapical region of growing root hairs to facilitate optimal growth.

The Mos-MAPK pathway regulates Diaphanous-related formin activity to drive cleavage furrow closure during polar body extrusion in starfish oocytes

Maintenance of spindle attachment to the cortex and formation of the cleavage furrow around the protruded spindle are essential for polar body extrusion (PBE) during meiotic maturation of oocytes. Although spindle movement to the cortex has been well-studied, how the spindle is maintained at the cortex during PBE is unknown. Here, we show that activation of Diaphanous-related formin mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is required for tight spindle attachment to the cortex and cleavage furrow closure during PBE in starfish (Asterina pectinifera) oocytes. A. pectinifera Diaphanous-related formin (ApDia) had a distinct localization in immature oocytes and was localized to the cleavage furrow during PBE. Inhibition of the Mos-MAPK pathway or the actin nucleating activity of formin homology 2 domain prevented cleavage furrow closure and resulted in PBE failure. In MEK/MAPK-inhibited oocytes, activation of ApDia by relief of its intramolecular inhibition restored PBE. In summary, this study elucidates a link between the Mos-MAPK pathway and Diaphanous-related formins, that is responsible for maintaining tight spindle attachment to the cortex and cleavage furrow closure during PBE.

Spatial stochastic dynamics enable robust cell polarization

Although cell polarity is an essential feature of living cells, it is far from being well-understood. Using a combination of computational modeling and biological experiments we closely examine an important prototype of cell polarity: the pheromone-induced formation of the yeast polarisome. Focusing on the role of noise and spatial heterogeneity, we develop and investigate two mechanistic spatial models of polarisome formation, one deterministic and the other stochastic, and compare the contrasting predictions of these two models against experimental phenotypes of wild-type and mutant cells. We find that the stochastic model can more robustly reproduce two fundamental characteristics observed in wild-type cells: a highly polarized phenotype via a mechanism that we refer to as spatial stochastic amplification, and the ability of the polarisome to track a moving pheromone input. Moreover, we find that only the stochastic model can simultaneously reproduce these characteristics of the wild-type phenotype and the multi-polarisome phenotype of a deletion mutant of the scaffolding protein Spa2. Significantly, our analysis also demonstrates that higher levels of stochastic noise results in increased robustness of polarization to parameter variation. Furthermore, our work suggests a novel role for a polarisome protein in the stabilization of actin cables. These findings elucidate the intricate role of spatial stochastic effects in cell polarity, giving support to a cellular model where noise and spatial heterogeneity combine to achieve robust biological function.

Cell polarity is the fundamental process of breaking symmetry to create asymmetric cellular structures. It is an open question how randomness (stochasticity) in the cell hinders or helps cell polarity. In this work, we focus on the ability of yeast cells to sense a spatial gradient of mating pheromone and respond by forming a projection in the direction of the mating partner. A key element is the polarisome, which is at the tip of the mating projection. We introduce the first model of polarisome formation in yeast. The model is well-supported by experimental data. We perform modeling to explore the role of noise in the formation of the polarisome. By running simulations with and without noise, we arrive at the surprising conclusion, that gradient-dependent polarization is enhanced by stochasticity. Both the tight localization (amplification) and the ability to respond to directional change of the input (tracking) are enhanced by stochastic dynamics, resulting in a more robust behavior. Mutants in which key polarisome proteins have been deleted exhibit broader, noisier polarisome than the wild type. The mutant phenotype is accurately captured by our stochastic simulations. These results demonstrate the importance of stochasticity in the study of cell polarity.

Ligand-induced activation of a formin-NPF pair leads to collaborative actin nucleation

Formins associate with other nucleators and nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) to stimulate collaborative actin assembly, but the mechanisms regulating these interactions have been unclear. Yeast Bud6 has an established role as an NPF for the formin Bni1, but whether it also directly regulates the formin Bnr1 has remained enigmatic. In this paper, we analyzed NPF-impaired alleles of bud6 in a bni1Δ background and found that Bud6 stimulated Bnr1 activity in vivo. Furthermore, Bud6 bound directly to Bnr1, but its NPF effects were masked by a short regulatory sequence, suggesting that additional factors may be required for activation. We isolated a novel in vivo binding partner of Bud6, Yor304c-a/Bil1, which colocalized with Bud6 and functioned in the Bnr1 pathway for actin assembly. Purified Bil1 bound to the regulatory sequence in Bud6 and triggered NPF effects on Bnr1. These observations define a new mode of formin regulation, which has important implications for understanding NPF-nucleator pairs in diverse systems.

Cell polarity: wanderful exploration in yeast sex

Chemical gradients are used by cells to provide positional information. Two new studies reveal that polarity proteins are highly dynamic in yeast cells responding to a pheromone gradient and suggest that this behavior is important for robust directional growth.

Nonmedially assembled F-actin cables incorporate into the actomyosin ring in fission yeast

In many eukaryotes, cytokinesis requires the assembly and constriction of an actomyosin-based contractile ring. Despite the central role of this ring in cytokinesis, the mechanism of F-actin assembly and accumulation in the ring is not fully understood. In this paper, we investigate the mechanism of F-actin assembly during cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe using lifeact as a probe to monitor actin dynamics. Previous work has shown that F-actin in the actomyosin ring is assembled de novo at the division site. Surprisingly, we find that a significant fraction of F-actin in the ring was recruited from formin-Cdc12p nucleated long actin cables that were generated at multiple nonmedial locations and incorporated into the ring by a combination of myosin II and myosin V activities. Our results, together with findings in animal cells, suggest that de novo F-actin assembly at the division site and directed transport of F-actin cables assembled elsewhere can contribute to ring assembly.

Robust polarity establishment occurs via an endocytosis-based cortical corralling mechanism

Cell polarity can be established via the spatial coordination of the opposing membrane trafficking activities of endocytosis and exocytosis.

Formation of a stable polarity axis underlies numerous biological processes. Here, using high-resolution imaging and complementary mathematical modeling we find that cell polarity can be established via the spatial coordination of opposing membrane trafficking activities: endocytosis and exocytosis. During polarity establishment in budding yeast, these antagonistic processes become apposed. Endocytic vesicles corral a central exocytic zone, tightening it to a vertex that establishes the polarity axis for the ensuing cell cycle. Concomitantly, the endocytic system reaches an equilibrium where internalization events occur at a constant frequency. Endocytic mutants that failed to initiate periodic internalization events within the corral displayed wide, unstable polarity axes. These results, predicted by in silico modeling and verified by high resolution in vivo studies, identify a requirement for endocytic corralling during robust polarity establishment.

Myosin Vs organize actin cables in fission yeast

Myosin V motors are believed to contribute to cell polarization by carrying cargoes along actin tracks. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Myosin Vs transport secretory vesicles along actin cables, which are dynamic actin bundles assembled by the formin For3 at cell poles. How these flexible structures are able to extend longitudinally in the cell through the dense cytoplasm is unknown. Here we show that in myosin V (myo52 myo51) null cells, actin cables are curled, bundled, and fail to extend into the cell interior. They also exhibit reduced retrograde flow, suggesting that formin-mediated actin assembly is impaired. Myo52 may contribute to actin cable organization by delivering actin regulators to cell poles, as myoV defects are partially suppressed by diverting cargoes toward cell tips onto microtubules with a kinesin 7-Myo52 tail chimera. In addition, Myo52 motor activity may pull on cables to provide the tension necessary for their extension and efficient assembly, as artificially tethering actin cables to the nuclear envelope via a Myo52 motor domain restores actin cable extension and retrograde flow in myoV mutants. Together these in vivo data reveal elements of a self-organizing system in which the motors shape their own tracks by transporting cargoes and exerting physical pulling forces.

Tracking shallow chemical gradients by actin-driven wandering of the polarization site

BACKGROUND

Many cells are remarkably proficient at tracking very shallow chemical gradients, despite considerable noise from stochastic receptor-ligand interactions. Motile cells appear to undergo a biased random walk: spatial noise in receptor activity may determine the instantaneous direction, but because noise is spatially unbiased, it is filtered out by time averaging, resulting in net movement upgradient. How nonmotile cells might filter out noise is unknown.

RESULTS

Using yeast chemotropic mating as a model, we demonstrate that a polarized patch of polarity regulators "wanders" along the cortex during gradient tracking. Computational and experimental findings suggest that actin-directed membrane traffic contributes to wandering by diluting local polarity factors. The pheromone gradient appears to bias wandering via interactions between receptor-activated Gβγ and polarity regulators. Artificially blocking patch wandering impairs gradient tracking.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the polarity patch undergoes an intracellular biased random walk that enables noise filtering by time averaging, allowing nonmotile cells to track shallow gradients.