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Riedl M, Sixt M. The excitable nature of polymerizing actin and the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1287420. [PMID: 38020899 PMCID: PMC10643615 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1287420] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate regulatory processes behind actin polymerization play a crucial role in cellular biology, including essential mechanisms such as cell migration or cell division. However, the self-organizing principles governing actin polymerization are still poorly understood. In this perspective article, we compare the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, a classic and well understood chemical oscillator known for its self-organizing spatiotemporal dynamics, with the excitable dynamics of polymerizing actin. While the BZ reaction originates from the domain of inorganic chemistry, it shares remarkable similarities with actin polymerization, including the characteristic propagating waves, which are influenced by geometry and external fields, and the emergent collective behavior. Starting with a general description of emerging patterns, we elaborate on single droplets or cell-level dynamics, the influence of geometric confinements and conclude with collective interactions. Comparing these two systems sheds light on the universal nature of self-organization principles in both living and inanimate systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Riedl
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg, Austria
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Gu S, Bull A, Perry JK, Huang A, Hourwitz MJ, Abostate M, Fourkas JT, Korchevskiy AA, Wylie AG, Losert W. Excitable systems: A new perspective on the cellular impact of elongate mineral particles. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 230:115353. [PMID: 36702187 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigate how the geometry of elongate mineral particles (EMPs) in contact with cells influences esotaxis, a recently discovered mechanism of texture sensing. Esotaxis is based on cytoskeletal waves and oscillations that are nucleated, shaped, and steered by the texture of the surroundings. We find that all EMPs studied trigger an esotactic response in macrophages, and that this response dominates cytoskeletal activity in these immune cells. In contrast, epithelial cells show little to no esotactic response to the EMPs. These results are consistent with the distinct interactions of both cell types with ridged nanotopographies of dimensions comparable to those of asbestiform EMPs. Our findings raise the question of whether narrow, asbestiform EMPs may also dominate cytoskeletal activity in other types of immune cells that exhibit similar esotactic effects. These findings, together with prior studies of esotaxis, lead us to the hypothesis that asbestiform EMPs suppress the migration of immune cells and activate immune signaling, thereby outcompeting signals that would normally stimulate the immune system in nearby tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyao Gu
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - Abby Bull
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States; Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - Jeneh K Perry
- CCDC Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Material Research Directorate, 6300 Rodman Road, Aberdeen, Proving Ground, MD 21005, United States
| | - Amilee Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - Matt J Hourwitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - Mona Abostate
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - John T Fourkas
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States
| | - Andrey A Korchevskiy
- Chemistry & Industrial Hygiene, Inc., 5420 Ward Road, Suite 100, Arvada, CO 80002, United States
| | - Ann G Wylie
- Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, Department of Geology, University of Maryland, 8000 Regents Dr., College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States; Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States.
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Beta C, Edelstein-Keshet L, Gov N, Yochelis A. From actin waves to mechanism and back: How theory aids biological understanding. eLife 2023; 12:e87181. [PMID: 37428017 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin dynamics in cell motility, division, and phagocytosis is regulated by complex factors with multiple feedback loops, often leading to emergent dynamic patterns in the form of propagating waves of actin polymerization activity that are poorly understood. Many in the actin wave community have attempted to discern the underlying mechanisms using experiments and/or mathematical models and theory. Here, we survey methods and hypotheses for actin waves based on signaling networks, mechano-chemical effects, and transport characteristics, with examples drawn from Dictyostelium discoideum, human neutrophils, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Xenopus laevis oocytes. While experimentalists focus on the details of molecular components, theorists pose a central question of universality: Are there generic, model-independent, underlying principles, or just boundless cell-specific details? We argue that mathematical methods are equally important for understanding the emergence, evolution, and persistence of actin waves and conclude with a few challenges for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Beta
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Nir Gov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Arik Yochelis
- Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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O'Neill KM, Saracino E, Barile B, Mennona NJ, Mola MG, Pathak S, Posati T, Zamboni R, Nicchia GP, Benfenati V, Losert W. Decoding Natural Astrocyte Rhythms: Dynamic Actin Waves Result from Environmental Sensing by Primary Rodent Astrocytes. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200269. [PMID: 36709481 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are key regulators of brain homeostasis, equilibrating ion, water, and neurotransmitter concentrations and maintaining essential conditions for proper cognitive function. Recently, it has been shown that the excitability of the actin cytoskeleton manifests in second-scale dynamic fluctuations and acts as a sensor of chemophysical environmental cues. However, it is not known whether the cytoskeleton is excitable in astrocytes and how the homeostatic function of astrocytes is linked to the dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Here it is shown that homeostatic regulation involves the excitable dynamics of actin in certain subcellular regions of astrocytes, especially near the cell boundary. The results further indicate that actin dynamics concentrate into "hotspot" regions that selectively respond to certain chemophysical stimuli, specifically the homeostatic challenges of ion or water concentration increases. Substrate topography makes the actin dynamics of astrocytes weaker. Super-resolution images demonstrate that surface topography is also associated with the predominant perpendicular alignment of actin filaments near the cell boundary, whereas flat substrates result in an actin cortex mainly parallel to the cell boundary. Additionally, coculture with neurons increases both the probability of actin dynamics and the strength of hotspots. The excitable systems character of actin thus makes astrocytes direct participants in neural cell network dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M O'Neill
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emanuela Saracino
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council of Italy, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Barile
- Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicholas J Mennona
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Physics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Mola
- Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Spandan Pathak
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Tamara Posati
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council of Italy, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Zamboni
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council of Italy, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Grazia P Nicchia
- Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Benfenati
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council of Italy, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Physics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
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Yang Q, Miao Y, Banerjee P, Hourwitz MJ, Hu M, Qing Q, Iglesias PA, Fourkas JT, Losert W, Devreotes PN. Nanotopography modulates intracellular excitable systems through cytoskeleton actuation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218906120. [PMID: 37126708 PMCID: PMC10175780 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218906120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular sensing of most environmental cues involves receptors that affect a signal-transduction excitable network (STEN), which is coupled to a cytoskeletal excitable network (CEN). We show that the mechanism of sensing of nanoridges is fundamentally different. CEN activity occurs preferentially on nanoridges, whereas STEN activity is constrained between nanoridges. In the absence of STEN, waves disappear, but long-lasting F-actin puncta persist along the ridges. When CEN is suppressed, wave propagation is no longer constrained by nanoridges. A computational model reproduces these experimental observations. Our findings indicate that nanotopography is sensed directly by CEN, whereas STEN is only indirectly affected due to a CEN-STEN feedback loop. These results explain why texture sensing is robust and acts cooperatively with multiple other guidance cues in complex, in vivo microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixin Yang
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Yuchuan Miao
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Parijat Banerjee
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Matt J. Hourwitz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Minxi Hu
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ85287
| | - Quan Qing
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ85287
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ85287
| | - Pablo A. Iglesias
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - John T. Fourkas
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Peter N. Devreotes
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
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