Complementary Cytoskeletal Feedback Loops Control Signal Transduction Excitability and Cell Polarity

To move through complex environments, cells must constantly integrate chemical and mechanical cues. Signaling networks, such as those comprising Ras and PI3K, transmit chemical cues to the cytoskeleton, but the cytoskeleton must also relay mechanical information back to those signaling systems. Using novel synthetic tools to acutely control specific elements of the cytoskeleton in Dictyostelium and neutrophils, we delineate feedback mechanisms that alter the signaling network and promote front- or back-states of the cell membrane and cortex. First, increasing branched actin assembly increases Ras/PI3K activation while reducing polymeric actin levels overall decreases activation. Second, reducing myosin II assembly immediately increases Ras/PI3K activation and sensitivity to chemotactic stimuli. Third, inhibiting branched actin alone increases cortical actin assembly and strongly blocks Ras/PI3K activation. This effect is mitigated by reducing filamentous actin levels and in cells lacking myosin II. Finally, increasing actin crosslinking with a controllable activator of cytoskeletal regulator RacE leads to a large decrease in Ras activation both globally and locally. Curiously, RacE activation can trigger cell spreading and protrusion with no detectable activation of branched actin nucleators. Taken together with legacy data that Ras/PI3K promotes branched actin assembly and myosin II disassembly, our results define front- and back-promoting positive feedback loops. We propose that these loops play a crucial role in establishing cell polarity and mediating signal integration by controlling the excitable state of the signal transduction networks in respective regions of the membrane and cortex. This interplay enables cells to navigate intricate topologies like tissues containing other cells, the extracellular matrix, and fluids.

Electric field modulation of ERK dynamics shows dependency on waveform and timing

Different exogenous electric fields (EF) can guide cell migration, disrupt proliferation, and program cell development. Studies have shown that many of these processes were initiated at the cell membrane, but the mechanism has been unclear, especially for conventionally non-excitable cells. In this study, we focus on the electrostatic aspects of EF coupling with the cell membrane by eliminating Faradaic processes using dielectric-coated microelectrodes. Our data unveil a distinctive biphasic response of the ERK signaling pathway of epithelial cells (MCF10A) to alternate current (AC) EF. The ERK signal exhibits both inhibition and activation phases, with the former triggered by a lower threshold of AC EF, featuring a swifter peaking time and briefer refractory periods than the later-occurring activation phase, induced at a higher threshold. Interestingly, the biphasic ERK responses are sensitive to the waveform and timing of EF stimulation pulses, depicting the characteristics of electrostatic and dissipative interactions. Blocker tests and correlated changes of active Ras on the cell membrane with ERK signals indicated that both EGFR and Ras were involved in the rich ERK dynamics induced by EF. We propose that the frequency-dependent dielectric relaxation process could be an important mechanism to couple EF energy to the cell membrane region and modulate membrane protein-initiated signaling pathways, which can be further explored to precisely control cell behavior and fate with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Self-organizing glycolytic waves fuel cell migration and cancer progression

Glycolysis has traditionally been thought to take place in the cytosol but we observed the enrichment of glycolytic enzymes in propagating waves of the cell cortex in human epithelial cells. These waves reflect excitable Ras/PI3K signal transduction and F-actin/actomyosin networks that drive cellular protrusions, suggesting that localized glycolysis at the cortex provides ATP for cell morphological events such as migration, phagocytosis, and cytokinesis. Perturbations that altered cortical waves caused corresponding changes in enzyme localization and ATP production whereas synthetic recruitment of glycolytic enzymes to the cell cortex enhanced cell spreading and motility. Interestingly, the cortical waves and ATP levels were positively correlated with the metastatic potential of cancer cells. The coordinated signal transduction, cytoskeletal, and glycolytic waves in cancer cells may explain their increased motility and their greater reliance on glycolysis, often referred to as the Warburg effect.

A dynamic partitioning mechanism polarizes membrane protein distribution

The plasma membrane is widely regarded as the hub of the numerous signal transduction activities. Yet, the fundamental biophysical mechanisms that spatiotemporally compartmentalize different classes of membrane proteins remain unclear. Using multimodal live-cell imaging, here we first show that several lipid-anchored membrane proteins are consistently depleted from the membrane regions where the Ras/PI3K/Akt/F-actin network is activated. The dynamic polarization of these proteins does not depend upon the F-actin-based cytoskeletal structures, recurring shuttling between membrane and cytosol, or directed vesicular trafficking. Photoconversion microscopy and single-molecule measurements demonstrate that these lipid-anchored molecules have substantially dissimilar diffusion profiles in different regions of the membrane which enable their selective segregation. When these diffusion coefficients are incorporated into an excitable network-based stochastic reaction-diffusion model, simulations reveal that the altered affinity mediated selective partitioning is sufficient to drive familiar propagating wave patterns. Furthermore, normally uniform integral and lipid-anchored membrane proteins partition successfully when membrane domain-specific peptides are optogenetically recruited to them. We propose "dynamic partitioning" as a new mechanism that can account for large-scale compartmentalization of a wide array of lipid-anchored and integral membrane proteins during various physiological processes where membrane polarizes.

Ras-mediated homeostatic control of front-back signaling dictates cell polarity

Studies in the model systems, Dictyostelium amoebae and HL-60 neutrophils, have shown that local Ras activity directly regulates cell motility or polarity. Localized Ras activation on the membrane is spatiotemporally regulated by its activators, RasGEFs, and inhibitors, RasGAPs, which might be expected to create a stable 'front' and 'back', respectively, in migrating cells. Focusing on C2GAPB in amoebae and RASAL3 in neutrophils, we investigated how Ras activity along the cortex controls polarity. Since existing gene knockout and overexpression studies can be circumvented, we chose optogenetic approaches to assess the immediate, local effects of these Ras regulators on the cell cortex. In both cellular systems, optically targeting the respective RasGAPs to the cell front extinguished existing protrusions and changed the direction of migration, as might be expected. However, when the expression of C2GAPB was induced globally, amoebae polarized within hours. Furthermore, within minutes of globally recruiting either C2GAPB in amoebae or RASAL3 in neutrophils, each cell type polarized and moved more rapidly. Targeting the RasGAPs to the cell backs exaggerated these effects on migration and polarity. Overall, in both cell types, RasGAP-mediated polarization was brought about by increased actomyosin contractility at the back and sustained, localized F-actin polymerization at the front. These experimental results were accurately captured by computational simulations in which Ras levels control front and back feedback loops. The discovery that context-dependent Ras activity on the cell cortex has counterintuitive, unanticipated effects on cell polarity can have important implications for future drug-design strategies targeting oncogenic Ras.

The effects of statins in patients with advanced-stage cancers - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Statin therapy has been shown to reduce mortality in a wide range of cancer types and overall stages. Still, there is uncertainty about its efficacy in increasing survival among advanced cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis with data from all studies that compared the hazard ratio of overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival in patients with advanced-stage cancer who receive statin therapy. Studies were selected from the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception to December 31, 2022. Cancer types are limited to those rarely screened during the annual examination and more likely to develop into advanced stages, such as lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. This resulted in 27 studies eligible for meta-analysis.

Results

Statin therapy was associated with a 26% decreased risk of overall survival (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.67, 0.81), 26% decreased risk of cancer-specific survival (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.88), and 24% decreased risk of progression-free survival (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65-0.87) for advanced-stage cancer patients. The associations were not attenuated or reinforced by study design, study regions, cancer types, or other medical care. Concomitant use of other anticancer medications did not result in confounding effects.

Conclusions

Statin therapy produces significant benefits on overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Although the benefits might be lower than the approved immunotherapy medications, its cost-effectiveness could lead to dramatic health consequences. Concomitant use of statin drugs as cancer treatments is highly recommended in future clinical trials.

Actuation of single downstream nodes in growth factor network steers immune cell migration

Ras signaling is typically associated with cell growth, but not direct regulation of motility or polarity. By optogenetically targeting different nodes in the Ras/PI3K/Akt network in differentiated human HL-60 neutrophils, we abruptly altered protrusive activity, bypassing the chemoattractant receptor/G-protein network. First, global recruitment of active KRas4B/HRas isoforms or a RasGEF, RasGRP4, immediately increased spreading and random motility. Second, activating Ras at the cell rear generated new protrusions, reversed pre-existing polarity, and steered sustained migration in neutrophils or murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Third, recruiting a RasGAP, RASAL3, to cell fronts extinguished protrusions and changed migration direction. Remarkably, persistent RASAL3 recruitment at stable fronts abrogated directed migration in three different chemoattractant gradients. Fourth, local recruitment of the Ras-mTORC2 effector, Akt, in neutrophils or Dictyostelium amoebae generated new protrusions and rearranged pre-existing polarity. Overall, these optogenetic effects were mTORC2-dependent but relatively independent of PI3K. Thus, receptor-independent, local activations of classical growth-control pathways directly control actin assembly, cell shape, and migration modes.

Optogenetic modulation of guanine nucleotide exchange factors of Ras superfamily proteins directly controls cell shape and movement

In this article, we provide detailed protocols on using optogenetic dimerizers to acutely perturb activities of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) specific to Ras, Rac or Rho small GTPases of the migratory networks in various mammalian and amoeba cell lines. These GEFs are crucial components of signal transduction networks which link upstream G-protein coupled receptors to downstream cytoskeletal components and help cells migrate through their dynamic microenvironment. Conventional approaches to perturb and examine these signaling and cytoskeletal networks, such as gene knockout or overexpression, are protracted which allows networks to readjust through gene expression changes. Moreover, these tools lack spatial resolution to probe the effects of local network activations. To overcome these challenges, blue light-inducible cryptochrome- and LOV domain-based dimerization systems have been recently developed to control signaling or cytoskeletal events in a spatiotemporally precise manner. We illustrate that, within minutes of global membrane recruitment of full-length GEFs or their catalytic domains only, widespread increases or decreases in F-actin rich protrusions and cell size occur, depending on the particular node in the networks targeted. Additionally, we demonstrate localized GEF recruitment as a robust assay system to study local network activation-driven changes in polarity and directed migration. Altogether, these optical tools confirmed GEFs of Ras superfamily GTPases as regulators of cell shape, actin dynamics, and polarity. Furthermore, this optogenetic toolbox may be exploited in perturbing complex signaling interactions in varied physiological contexts including mammalian embryogenesis.

Nanotopography modulates intracellular excitable systems through cytoskeleton actuation

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.

A dynamic partitioning mechanism polarizes membrane protein distribution

The plasma membrane is widely regarded as the hub of the signal transduction network activities that drives numerous physiological responses, including cell polarity and migration. Yet, the symmetry breaking process in the membrane, that leads to dynamic compartmentalization of different proteins, remains poorly understood. Using multimodal live-cell imaging, here we first show that multiple endogenous and synthetic lipid-anchored proteins, despite maintaining stable tight association with the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, were unexpectedly depleted from the membrane domains where the signaling network was spontaneously activated such as in the new protrusions as well as within the propagating ventral waves. Although their asymmetric patterns resembled those of standard peripheral "back" proteins such as PTEN, unlike the latter, these lipidated proteins did not dissociate from the membrane upon global receptor activation. Our experiments not only discounted the possibility of recurrent reversible translocation from membrane to cytosol as it occurs for weakly bound peripheral membrane proteins, but also ruled out the necessity of directed vesicular trafficking and cytoskeletal supramolecular structure-based restrictions in driving these dynamic symmetry breaking events. Selective photoconversion-based protein tracking assays suggested that these asymmetric patterns instead originate from the inherent ability of these membrane proteins to "dynamically partition" into distinct domains within the plane of the membrane. Consistently, single-molecule measurements showed that these lipid-anchored molecules have substantially dissimilar diffusion profiles in different regions of the membrane. When these profiles were incorporated into an excitable network-based stochastic reaction-diffusion model of the system, simulations revealed that our proposed "dynamic partitioning" mechanism is sufficient to give rise to familiar asymmetric propagating wave patterns. Moreover, we demonstrated that normally uniform integral and lipid-anchored membrane proteins in Dictyostelium and mammalian neutrophil cells can be induced to partition spatiotemporally to form polarized patterns, by optogenetically recruiting membrane domain-specific peptides to these proteins. Together, our results indicate "dynamic partitioning" as a new mechanism of plasma membrane organization, that can account for large-scale compartmentalization of a wide array of lipid-anchored and integral membrane proteins in different physiological processes.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane surface charge regulates cell polarity and migration

During cell migration and polarization, numerous signal transduction and cytoskeletal components self-organize to generate localized protrusions. Although biochemical and genetic analyses have delineated many specific interactions, how the activation and localization of so many different molecules are spatiotemporally orchestrated at the subcellular level has remained unclear. Here we show that the regulation of negative surface charge on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane plays an integrative role in the molecular interactions. Surface charge, or zeta potential, is transiently lowered at new protrusions and within cortical waves of Ras/PI3K/TORC2/F-actin network activation. Rapid alterations of inner leaflet anionic phospholipids-such as PI(4,5)P2, PI(3,4)P2, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid-collectively contribute to the surface charge changes. Abruptly reducing the surface charge by recruiting positively charged optogenetic actuators was sufficient to trigger the entire biochemical network, initiate de novo protrusions and abrogate pre-existing polarity. These effects were blocked by genetic or pharmacological inhibition of key signalling components such as AKT and PI3K/TORC2. Conversely, increasing the negative surface charge deactivated the network and locally suppressed chemoattractant-induced protrusions or subverted EGF-induced ERK activation. Computational simulations involving excitable biochemical networks demonstrated that slight changes in feedback loops, induced by recruitment of the charged actuators, could lead to outsized effects on system activation. We propose that key signalling network components act on, and are in turn acted upon, by surface charge, closing feedback loops, which bring about the global-scale molecular self-organization required for spontaneous protrusion formation, cell migration and polarity establishment.

Cortical waves mediate the cellular response to electric fields

Electrotaxis, the directional migration of cells in a constant electric field, is important in regeneration, development, and wound healing. Electrotaxis has a slower response and a smaller dynamic range than guidance by other cues, suggesting that the mechanism of electrotaxis shares both similarities and differences with chemical-gradient-sensing pathways. We examine a mechanism centered on the excitable system consisting of cortical waves of biochemical signals coupled to cytoskeletal reorganization, which has been implicated in random cell motility. We use electro-fused giant Dictyostelium discoideum cells to decouple waves from cell motion and employ nanotopographic surfaces to limit wave dimensions and lifetimes. We demonstrate that wave propagation in these cells is guided by electric fields. The wave area and lifetime gradually increase in the first 10 min after an electric field is turned on, leading to more abundant and wider protrusions in the cell region nearest the cathode. The wave directions display 'U-turn' behavior upon field reversal, and this switch occurs more quickly on nanotopography. Our results suggest that electric fields guide cells by controlling waves of signal transduction and cytoskeletal activity, which underlie cellular protrusions. Whereas surface receptor occupancy triggers both rapid activation and slower polarization of signaling pathways, electric fields appear to act primarily on polarization, explaining why cells respond to electric fields more slowly than to other guidance cues.

Coupling traction force patterns and actomyosin wave dynamics reveals mechanics of cell motion

Motile cells can use and switch between different modes of migration. Here, we use traction force microscopy and fluorescent labeling of actin and myosin to quantify and correlate traction force patterns and cytoskeletal distributions in Dictyostelium discoideum cells that move and switch between keratocyte-like fan-shaped, oscillatory, and amoeboid modes. We find that the wave dynamics of the cytoskeletal components critically determine the traction force pattern, cell morphology, and migration mode. Furthermore, we find that fan-shaped cells can exhibit two different propulsion mechanisms, each with a distinct traction force pattern. Finally, the traction force patterns can be recapitulated using a computational model, which uses the experimentally determined spatiotemporal distributions of actin and myosin forces and a viscous cytoskeletal network. Our results suggest that cell motion can be generated by friction between the flow of this network and the substrate.

Using Live-Cell Imaging and Synthetic Biology to Probe Directed Migration in Dictyostelium

For decades, the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has been an invaluable tool for dissecting the biology of eukaryotic cells. Its short growth cycle and genetic tractability make it ideal for a variety of biochemical, cell biological, and biophysical assays. Dictyostelium have been widely used as a model of eukaryotic cell motility because the signaling and mechanical networks which they use to steer and produce forward motion are highly conserved. Because these migration networks consist of hundreds of interconnected proteins, perturbing individual molecules can have subtle effects or alter cell morphology and signaling in major unpredictable ways. Therefore, to fully understand this network, we must be able to quantitatively assess the consequences of abrupt modifications. This ability will allow us better control cell migration, which is critical for development and disease, in vivo. Here, we review recent advances in imaging, synthetic biology, and computational analysis which enable researchers to tune the activity of individual molecules in single living cells and precisely measure the effects on cellular motility and signaling. We also provide practical advice and resources to assist in applying these approaches in Dictyostelium.

Hedgehog signaling and Tre1 regulate actin dynamics through PI(4,5)P2 to direct migration of Drosophila embryonic germ cells

The Tre1 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) was discovered to be required for Drosophila germ cell (GC) coalescence almost two decades ago, yet the molecular events both upstream and downstream of Tre1 activation remain poorly understood. To gain insight into these events, we describe a bona fide null allele and both untagged and tagged versions of Tre1. We find that the primary defect with complete Tre1 loss is the failure of GCs to properly navigate, with GC mis-migration occurring from early stages. We find that Tre1 localizes with F-actin at the migration front, along with PI(4,5)P₂; dPIP5K, an enzyme that generates PI(4,5)P₂; and dWIP, a protein that binds activated Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), which stimulates F-actin polymerization. We show that Tre1 is required for polarized accumulation of F-actin, PI(4,5)P₂, and dPIP5K. Smoothened also localizes with F-actin at the migration front, and Hh, through Smo, increases levels of Tre1 at the plasma membrane and Tre1’s association with dPIP5K.

Kim et al. uncover molecular and cellular events upstream and downstream of the Tre1 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which is required for germ cell navigation in Drosophila. Hedgehog signaling through Smoothened localizes Tre1 to activate F-actin assembly through dPIP5K, PI(4,5)P₂, and WASP.

Reverse fountain flow of phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate polarizes migrating cells

The ability of cells to polarize and move toward external stimuli plays a crucial role in development, as well as in normal and pathological physiology. Migrating cells maintain dynamic complementary distributions of Ras activity and of the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol‐3,4‐bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P2). Here, we show that lagging‐edge component PI(3,4)P2 also localizes to retracting leading‐edge protrusions and nascent macropinosomes, even in the absence of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‐trisphosphate (PIP3). Once internalized, macropinosomes break up into smaller PI(3,4)P2‐enriched vesicles, which fuse with the plasma membrane at the rear of the cell. Subsequently, the phosphoinositide diffuses toward the front of the cell, where it is degraded. Computational modeling confirms that this cycle gives rise to stable back‐to‐front gradient. These results uncover a surprising “reverse‐fountain flow” of PI(3,4)P2 that regulates polarity.

Traveling and standing waves mediate pattern formation in cellular protrusions

The mechanisms regulating protrusions during amoeboid migration exhibit excitability. Theoretical studies have suggested the possible coexistence of traveling and standing waves in excitable systems. Here, we demonstrate the direct transformation of a traveling into a standing wave and establish conditions for the stability of this conversion. This theory combines excitable wave stopping and the emergence of a family of standing waves at zero velocity, without altering diffusion parameters. Experimentally, we show the existence of this phenomenon on the cell cortex of some Dictyostelium and mammalian mutant strains. We further predict a template that encompasses a spectrum of protrusive phenotypes, including pseudopodia and filopodia, through transitions between traveling and standing waves, allowing the cell to switch between excitability and bistability. Overall, this suggests that a previously-unidentified method of pattern formation, in which traveling waves spread, stop, and turn into standing waves that rearrange to form stable patterns, governs cell motility.

The excitable signal transduction networks: movers and shapers of eukaryotic cell migration

In response to a variety of external cues, eukaryotic cells display varied migratory modes to perform their physiological functions during development and in the adult. Aberrations in cell migration result in embryonic defects and cancer metastasis. The molecular components involved in cell migration are remarkably conserved between the social amoeba Dictyostelium and mammalian cells. This makes the amoeba an excellent model system for studies of eukaryotic cell migration. These migration-associated components can be grouped into three networks: input, signal transduction and cytoskeletal. In migrating cells, signal transduction events such as Ras or PI3K activity occur at the protrusion tips, referred to as 'front', whereas events such as dissociation of PTEN from these regions are referred to as 'back'. Asymmetric distribution of such front and back events is crucial for establishing polarity and guiding cell migration. The triggering of these signaling events displays properties of biochemical excitability including all-or-nothing responsiveness to suprathreshold stimuli, refractoriness, and wave propagation. These signal transduction waves originate from a point and propagate towards the edge of the cell, thereby driving cytoskeletal activity and cellular protrusions. Any change in the threshold for network activation alters the range of the propagating waves and the size of cellular protrusions which gives rise to various migratory modes in cells. Thus, this review highlights excitable signal transduction networks as key players for coordinating cytoskeletal activities to drive cell migration in all eukaryotes.

A minimal computational model for three-dimensional cell migration

During migration, eukaryotic cells can continuously change their three-dimensional morphology, resulting in a highly dynamic and complex process. Further complicating this process is the observation that the same cell type can rapidly switch between different modes of migration. Modelling this complexity necessitates models that are able to track deforming membranes and that can capture the intracellular dynamics responsible for changes in migration modes. Here we develop an efficient three-dimensional computational model for cell migration, which couples cell mechanics to a simple intracellular activator-inhibitor signalling system. We compare the computational results to quantitative experiments using the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. The model can reproduce the observed migration modes generated by varying either mechanical or biochemical model parameters and suggests a coupling between the substrate and the biomechanics of the cell.

Excitable networks controlling cell migration during development and disease

The directed movements of individual, groups, or sheets of cells at specific times in particular locations bring about form and complexity to developing organisms. Cells move by extending protrusions, such as macropinosomes, pseudopods, lamellipods, filopods, or blebs. Although many of the cytoskeletal components within these structures are known, less is known about the mechanisms that determine their location, number, and characteristics. Recent evidence suggests that control may be exerted by a signal transduction excitable network whose components and activities, including Ras, PI3K, TorC2, and phosphoinositides, self-organize on the plasma membrane and propagate in waves. The waves drive the various types of protrusions, which in turn, determine the modes of cell migration. Acute perturbations at specific points in the network produce abrupt shifts in protrusion type, including transitions from pseudopods to filopods or lamellipods. These observations have also contributed to a delineation of the signal transduction network, including candidate fast positive and delayed negative feedback loops. The network contains many oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and other molecules which have recently been implicated in developmental and metabolic abnormalities. Thus, the concept of signal transduction network excitability in cell migration can be used to understand disease states and morphological changes occurring in development.

Cell migration directionality and speed are independently regulated by RasG and Gβ in Dictyostelium cells in electrotaxis

Motile cells manifest increased migration speed and directionality in gradients of stimuli, including chemoattractants, electrical potential and substratum stiffness. Here, we demonstrate that Dictyostelium cells move directionally in response to an electric field (EF) with specific acceleration/deceleration kinetics of directionality and migration speed. Detailed analyses of the migration kinetics suggest that migration speed and directionality are separately regulated by Gβ and RasG, respectively, in EF-directed cell migration. Cells lacking Gβ, which is essential for all chemotactic responses in Dictyostelium, showed EF-directed cell migration with the same increase in directionality in an EF as wild-type cells. However, these cells failed to show induction of the migration speed upon EF stimulation as much as wild-type cells. Loss of RasG, a key regulator of chemoattractant-directed cell migration, resulted in almost complete loss of directionality, but similar acceleration/deceleration kinetics of migration speed as wild-type cells. These results indicate that Gβ and RasG are required for the induction of migration speed and directionality, respectively, in response to an EF, suggesting separation of migration speed and directionality even with intact feedback loops between mechanical and signaling networks.

Summary: Cell migration directionality and speed are independently regulated by RasG and Gβ, respectively, in electric field-directed cell migration in Dictyostelium, suggesting the points of molecular divergence of the two characteristics.

Wave patterns organize cellular protrusions and control cortical dynamics

Cellular protrusions are typically considered as distinct structures associated with specific regulators. However, we found that these regulators coordinately localize as propagating cortical waves, suggesting a common underlying mechanism. These molecular events fell into two excitable networks, the signal transduction network STEN and the cytoskeletal network CEN with different wave substructures. Computational studies using a coupled-network model reproduced these features and showed that the morphology and kinetics of the waves depended on strengths of feedback loops. Chemically induced dimerization at multiple nodes produced distinct, coordinated alterations in patterns of other network components. Taken together, these studies indicate: STEN positive feedback is mediated by mutual inhibition between Ras/Rap and PIP2, while negative feedback depends on delayed PKB activation; PKBs link STEN to CEN; CEN includes positive feedback between Rac and F-actin, and exerts fast positive and slow negative feedbacks to STEN The alterations produced protrusions resembling filopodia, ruffles, pseudopodia, or lamellipodia, suggesting that these structures arise from a common regulatory mechanism and that the overall state of the STEN-CEN system determines cellular morphology.

Chemoattractant receptors activate, recruit and capture G proteins for wide range chemotaxis

The wide range sensing of extracellular signals is a common feature of various sensory cells. Eukaryotic chemotactic cells driven by GPCRs and their cognate G proteins are one example. This system endows the cells directional motility towards their destination over long distances. There are several mechanisms to achieve the long dynamic range, including negative regulation of the receptors upon ligand interaction and spatial regulation of G proteins, as we found recently. However, these mechanisms are insufficient to explain the 10⁵-fold range of chemotaxis seen in Dictyostelium. Here, we reveal that the receptor-mediated activation, recruitment, and capturing of G proteins mediate chemotactic signaling at the lower, middle and higher concentration ranges, respectively. These multiple mechanisms of G protein dynamics can successfully cover distinct ranges of ligand concentrations, resulting in seamless and broad chemotaxis. Furthermore, single-molecule imaging analysis showed that the activated Gα subunit forms an unconventional complex with the agonist-bound receptor. This complex formation of GPCR-Gα increased the membrane-binding time of individual Gα molecules and therefore resulted in the local accumulation of Gα. Our findings provide an additional chemotactic dynamic range mechanism in which multiple G protein dynamics positively contribute to the production of gradient information.

Coordination of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling and Interfacial Tension Dynamics Drives Radial Intercalation and Tube Elongation

We sought to understand how cells collectively elongate epithelial tubes. We first used 3D culture and biosensor imaging to demonstrate that epithelial cells enrich Ras activity, phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP₃), and F-actin to their leading edges during migration within tissues. PIP₃ enrichment coincided with, and could enrich despite inhibition of, F-actin dynamics, revealing a conserved migratory logic compared with single cells. We discovered that migratory cells can intercalate into the basal tissue surface and contribute to tube elongation. We then connected molecular activities to subcellular mechanics using force inference analysis. Migration and transient intercalation required specific and similar anterior-posterior ratios of interfacial tension. Permanent intercalations were distinguished by their capture at the boundary through time-varying tension dynamics. Finally, we integrated our experimental and computational data to generate a finite element model of tube elongation. Our model revealed that intercalation, interfacial tension dynamics, and high basal stress are together sufficient for mammary morphogenesis.

Assessment of Dictyostelium discoideum Response to Acute Mechanical Stimulation

Chemotaxis, or migration up a gradient of a chemoattractant, is the best understood mode of directed migration. Studies using social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum revealed that a complex signal transduction network of parallel pathways amplifies the response to chemoattractants, and leads to biased actin polymerization and protrusion of a pseudopod in the direction of a gradient. In contrast, molecular mechanisms driving other types of directed migration, for example, due to exposure to shear flow or electric fields, are not known. Many regulators of chemotaxis exhibit localization at the leading or lagging edge of a migrating cell, as well as show transient changes in localization or activation following global stimulation with a chemoattractant. To understand the molecular mechanisms of other types of directed migration we developed a method that allows examination of cellular response to acute mechanical stimulation based on brief (2 - 5 s) exposure to shear flow. This stimulation can be delivered in a channel while imaging cells expressing fluorescently-labeled biosensors to examine individual cell behavior. Additionally, cell population can be stimulated in a plate, lysed, and immunoblotted using antibodies that recognize active versions of proteins of interest. By combining both assays, one can examine a wide array of molecules activated by changes in subcellular localization and/or phosphorylation. Using this method we determined that acute mechanical stimulation triggers activation of the chemotactic signal transduction and actin cytoskeleton networks. The ability to examine cellular responses to acute mechanical stimulation is important for understanding the initiating events necessary for shear flow-induced motility. This approach also provides a tool for studying the chemotactic signal transduction network without the confounding influence of the chemoattractant receptor.

Excitable Signal Transduction Networks in Directed Cell Migration

Although directed migration of eukaryotic cells may have evolved to escape nutrient depletion, it has been adopted for an extensive range of physiological events during development and in the adult organism. The subversion of these movements results in disease, such as cancer. Mechanisms of propulsion and sensing are extremely diverse, but most eukaryotic cells move by extending actin-filled protrusions termed macropinosomes, pseudopodia, or lamellipodia or by extension of blebs. In addition to motility, directed migration involves polarity and directional sensing. The hundreds of gene products involved in these processes are organized into networks of parallel and interconnected pathways. Many of these components are activated or inhibited coordinately with stimulation and on each spontaneously extended protrusion. Moreover, these networks display hallmarks of excitability, including all-or-nothing responsiveness and wave propagation. Cellular protrusions result from signal transduction waves that propagate outwardly from an origin and drive cytoskeletal activity. The range of the propagating waves and hence the size of the protrusions can be altered by lowering or raising the threshold for network activation, with larger and wider protrusions favoring gliding or oscillatory behavior over amoeboid migration. Here, we evaluate the variety of models of excitable networks controlling directed migration and outline critical tests. We also discuss the utility of this emerging view in producing cell migration and in integrating the various extrinsic cues that direct migration.

Altering the threshold of an excitable signal transduction network changes cell migratory modes

The diverse migratory modes displayed by different cell types are generally believed to be idiosyncratic. Here we show that the migratory behavior of Dictyostelium was switched from amoeboid to keratocyte-like and oscillatory modes by synthetically decreasing PIP2 levels or increasing Ras/Rap-related activities. The perturbations at these key nodes of an excitable signal transduction network initiated a causal chain of events: The threshold for network activation was lowered, the speed and range of propagating waves of signal transduction activity increased, actin driven cellular protrusions expanded and, consequently, the cell migratory mode transitions ensued. Conversely, innately keratocyte-like and oscillatory cells were promptly converted to amoeboid by inhibition of Ras effectors with restoration of directed migration. We use computational analysis to explain how thresholds control cell migration and discuss the architecture of the signal transduction network that gives rise to excitability.

Abstract 4152: NKCC1 regulates migration of glioblastoma tumor initiating cells by interacting with the actin cytoskeleton

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadliest primary human brain tumor in adults due to the extensive tumor cell migration throughout surrounding brain parenchyma. The capacity to form new tumors, distant from the original location, resides in a specific cell subpopulation called brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs). Combined local and systemic therapies have been ineffective at targeting these invasive cells; furthermore, the mechanisms that confer GBM cells their invasive behavior have not been fully elucidated. The electroneutral Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) is an important cell volume regulator that is implicated in cell migration and overexpressed in GBM compared to non-cancer brain tissue. We have shown that both downregulation and pharmacological inhibition (using Bumetanide, BMT) of NKCC1 in BTICs lead to decreased cell migration, in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we reported that NKCC1 knockdown cells (NKCC1 KD) show significantly larger focal adhesions, suggesting a potential role of NKCC1 in cell adhesion. We now report the role of NKCC1 on cytoskeletal dynamics. We found that glioma cells display a significant decrease in cell spreading capacity upon NKCC1 KD or inhibition by BMT. Further, F-actin organization (observed with phalloidin staining) showed dramatic changes upon NKCC1 KD in BTICs. These changes include concentration of actin filaments on the membrane periphery in a ring shaped form and decreased bundled actin content. To analyze actin changes in a dynamic model, we transduced BTICs with the Lifeact-RFP construct for live imaging of F-actin. We observed that upon EGF stimulation, control cells responded by uniform spreading, as reflected by an increased cell circularity within seconds after stimulation, while NKCC1 KD cells did not respond. This suggests that the dynamic response of the actin cytoskeleton to external stimuli is decreased when NKCC1 is down-regulated. To determine the potential actin-regulatory mechanisms affected by NKCC1 inhibition we studied the small Rho-GTPases, RhoA and Rac1. We observed that the levels of active (GTP-bound) forms of RhoA and Rac1 were decreased in NKCC1 KD cells. Moreover, when BTICs were treated with the ROCK1 inhibitor, Y-27632, they showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell migration and activity of MLC (ROCK substrate). These effects were significantly weaker when the ROCK inhibitor was applied on NKCC1 KD or BMT-treated cells, suggesting that decreased RhoA and ROCK1 activity mediates the effects of NKCC1 inhibition. In summary, NKCC1 regulates BTIC migration beyond cell volume changes, by modulating the cytoskeleton through multiple targets that include F-actin regulation and RhoA and Rac1 activity. Due to its essential role in cell migration and high expression in GBM, NKCC1 may serve as a specific therapeutic target to decrease BTIC cell invasion and increase survival in patients with primary brain cancer.

Citation Format: Paula V. Schiapparelli, Roxana Magaña-Maldonado, Susan Hamilla, Eric Goulin Lippi Fernandes, Sara Ganaha, Chuan-Hsiang Huang, Hugo Guerrero-Cazares, Helim Aranda-Espinoza, Peter N. Devreotes, Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa. NKCC1 regulates migration of glioblastoma tumor initiating cells by interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4152. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4152

Opening the conformation is a master switch for the dual localization and phosphatase activity of PTEN

Tumor suppressor PTEN mainly functions at two subcellular locations, the plasma membrane and the nucleus. At the plasma membrane, PTEN dephosphorylates the tumorigenic second messenger PIP3, which drives cell proliferation and migration. In the nucleus, PTEN controls DNA repair and genome stability independently of PIP3. Whereas the concept that a conformational change regulates protein function through post-translational modifications has been well established in biology, it is unknown whether a conformational change simultaneously controls dual subcellular localizations of proteins. Here, we discovered that opening the conformation of PTEN is the crucial upstream event that determines its key dual localizations of this crucial tumor suppressor. We identify a critical conformational switch that regulates PTEN's localization. Most PTEN molecules are held in the cytosol in a closed conformation by intramolecular interactions between the C-terminal tail and core region. Dephosphorylation of the tail opens the conformation and exposes the membrane-binding regulatory interface in the core region, recruiting PTEN to the membrane. Moreover, a lysine at residue 13 is also exposed and when ubiquitinated, transports PTEN to the nucleus. Thus, opening the conformation of PTEN is a key mechanism that enhances its dual localization and enzymatic activity, providing a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer treatments.

The GATA transcription factor GtaC regulates early developmental gene expression dynamics in Dictyostelium

In many systems, including the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, development is often marked by dynamic morphological and transcriptional changes orchestrated by key transcription factors. However, efforts to examine sequential genome-wide changes of gene regulation in developmental processes have been fairly limited. Here we report the developmental regulatory dynamics of GtaC, a GATA-type zinc-finger transcription factor, through the analyses of serial ChIP- and RNA-sequencing data. GtaC is essential for developmental progression, decoding extracellular cAMP pulses during early development and may play a role in mediating cell-type differentiation at later stages. We find that GtaC exhibits temporally distinctive DNA-binding patterns concordant with each developmental stage. We identify direct GtaC targets and observe cotemporaneous GtaC-binding and developmental expression regulation. Our results suggest that GtaC regulates multiple physiological processes as Dictyostelium transitions from a group of unicellular amoebae to an integrated multicellular organism.

Development involves dynamic transcriptional changes. By serial ChIP- and RNA-sequencing, here, the authors show that GtaC, a GATA type transcription factor, exhibits temporally distinctive DNA binding and regulation of gene expression concordant with the development in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.

A large-scale screen reveals genes that mediate electrotaxis in Dictyostelium discoideum

Directional cell migration in an electric field, a phenomenon called galvanotaxis or electrotaxis, occurs in many types of cells, and may play an important role in wound healing and development. Small extracellular electric fields can guide the migration of amoeboid cells, and we established a large-scale screening approach to search for mutants with electrotaxis phenotypes from a collection of 563 Dictyostelium discoideum strains with morphological defects. We identified 28 strains that were defective in electrotaxis and 10 strains with a slightly higher directional response. Using plasmid rescue followed by gene disruption, we identified some of the mutated genes, including some previously implicated in chemotaxis. Among these, we studied PiaA, which encodes a critical component of TORC2, a kinase protein complex that transduces changes in motility by activating the kinase PKB (also known as Akt). Furthermore, we found that electrotaxis was decreased in mutants lacking gefA, rasC, rip3, lst8, or pkbR1, genes that encode other components of the TORC2-PKB pathway. Thus, we have developed a high-throughput screening technique that will be a useful tool to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of electrotaxis.

Science Signaling Podcast: 26 May 2015

A genetic screen identifies signaling pathways important for electrotaxis in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum .

Engineering PTEN function: membrane association and activity

Many tumors are associated with deficiency of the tumor suppressor, PTEN, a PIP3 phosphatase that turns off PIP3 signaling. The major site of PTEN action is the plasma membrane, where PIP3 is produced by PI3 kinases. However, the mechanism and functional importance of PTEN membrane recruitment are poorly defined. Using the heterologous expression system in which human PTEN is expressed in Dictyostelium discoideum, we defined the molecular mechanisms that regulate the membrane-binding site through inhibitory interactions with the phosphorylated C-terminal tail. In addition, we potentiated mechanisms that mediate PTEN membrane association and engineered an enhanced PTEN with increased tumor suppressor functions. Moreover, we identified a new class of cancer-associated PTEN mutations that are specifically defective in membrane association. In this review, we summarize recent advances in PTEN-membrane interactions and methods useful in addressing PTEN function.

The directional response of chemotactic cells depends on a balance between cytoskeletal architecture and the external gradient

Polarized migrating cells display signal transduction events, such as activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Scar/Wave, and respond more readily to chemotactic stimuli at the leading edge. We sought to determine the basis of this polarized sensitivity. Inhibiting actin polymerization leads to uniform sensitivity. However, when human neutrophils were "stalled" by simultaneously blocking actin and myosin dynamics, they maintained the gradient of responsiveness to chemoattractant and also displayed noise-driven PIP3 flashes on the basal membrane, localized toward the front. Thus, polarized sensitivity does not require migration or cytoskeletal dynamics. The threshold for response is correlated with the static F-actin distribution, but not cell shape or volume changes, membrane fluidity, or the preexisting distribution of PI3K. The kinetics of responses to temporal and spatial stimuli were consistent with the local excitation global inhibition model, but the overall direction of the response was biased by the internal axis of polarity.

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of a GATA transcription factor functions as a development timer

Biological oscillations are observed at many levels of cellular organization. In the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, starvation-triggered multicellular development is organized by periodic cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) waves, which provide both chemoattractant gradients and developmental signals. We report that GtaC, a GATA transcription factor, exhibits rapid nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in response to cAMP waves. This behavior requires coordinated action of a nuclear localization signal and reversible G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptor-mediated phosphorylation. Although both are required for developmental gene expression, receptor occupancy promotes nuclear exit of GtaC, which leads to a transient burst of transcription at each cAMP cycle. We demonstrate that this biological circuit filters out high-frequency signals and counts those admitted, thereby enabling cells to modulate gene expression according to the dynamic pattern of the external stimuli.

An excitable signal integrator couples to an idling cytoskeletal oscillator to drive cell migration

It is generally believed that cytoskeletal activities drive random cell migration while signal transduction events initiated by receptors regulate the cytoskeleton to guide cells. However, we find that the cytoskeletal network, involving Scar/Wave, Arp 2/3, and actin binding proteins, is only capable of generating rapid oscillations and undulations of the cell boundary. The signal transduction network, comprising multiple pathways that include Ras GTPases, PI3K, and Rac GTPases, is required to generate the sustained protrusions of migrating cells. The signal transduction network is excitable, displaying wave propagation, refractoriness, and maximal response to suprathreshold stimuli, even in the absence of the cytoskeleton. We suggest that cell motility results from coupling of “pacemaker” signal transduction and “idling motor” cytoskeletal networks, and various guidance cues that modulate the threshold for triggering signal transduction events are integrated to control the mode and direction of migration.

Multiple host kinases contribute to Akt activation during Salmonella infection

SopB is a type 3 secreted effector with phosphatase activity that Salmonella employs to manipulate host cellular processes, allowing the bacteria to establish their intracellular niche. One important function of SopB is activation of the pro-survival kinase Akt/protein kinase B in the infected host cell. Here, we examine the mechanism of Akt activation by SopB during Salmonella infection. We show that SopB-mediated Akt activation is only partially sensitive to PI3-kinase inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin in HeLa cells, suggesting that Class I PI3-kinases play only a minor role in this process. However, depletion of PI(3,4) P2/PI(3-5) P3 by expression of the phosphoinositide 3-phosphatase PTEN inhibits Akt activation during Salmonella invasion. Therefore, production of PI(3,4) P2/PI(3-5) P3 appears to be a necessary event for Akt activation by SopB and suggests that non-canonical kinases mediate production of these phosphoinositides during Salmonella infection. We report that Class II PI3-kinase beta isoform, IPMK and other kinases identified from a kinase screen all contribute to Akt activation during Salmonella infection. In addition, the kinases required for SopB-mediated activation of Akt vary depending on the type of infected host cell. Together, our data suggest that Salmonella has evolved to use a single effector, SopB, to manipulate a remarkably large repertoire of host kinases to activate Akt for the purpose of optimizing bacterial replication in its host.

Interaction of motility, directional sensing, and polarity modules recreates the behaviors of chemotaxing cells

Chemotaxis involves the coordinated action of separable but interrelated processes: motility, gradient sensing, and polarization. We have hypothesized that these are mediated by separate modules that account for these processes individually and that, when combined, recreate most of the behaviors of chemotactic cells. Here, we describe a mathematical model where the modules are implemented in terms of reaction-diffusion equations. Migration and the accompanying changes in cellular morphology are demonstrated in simulations using a mechanical model of the cell cortex implemented in the level set framework. The central module is an excitable network that accounts for random migration. The response to combinations of uniform stimuli and gradients is mediated by a local excitation, global inhibition module that biases the direction in which excitability is directed. A polarization module linked to the excitable network through the cytoskeleton allows unstimulated cells to move persistently and, for cells in gradients, to gradually acquire distinct sensitivity between front and back. Finally, by varying the strengths of various feedback loops in the model we obtain cellular behaviors that mirror those of genetically altered cell lines.

Chemotaxis is the movement of cells in response to spatial gradients of chemical cues. While single-celled organisms rely on sensing and responding to chemical gradients to search for nutrients, chemotaxis is also an essential component of the mammalian immune system. However, chemotaxis can also be deleterious, since chemotactic tumor cells can lead to metastasis. Due to its importance, understanding the process by which cells sense and respond to chemical gradients has attracted considerable interest. Moreover, because of the complexity of chemotactic signaling, which includes multiple feedback loops and redundant pathways, this has been a research area in which computational models have had a significant impact in understanding experimental findings. Here, we propose a modular description of the signaling network that regulates chemotaxis. The modules describe different processes that are observed in chemotactic cells. In addition to accounting for these behaviors individually, we show that the overall system recreates many features of the directed motion of migrating cells. The signaling described by our modules is implemented as a series of equations, whereas movement and the accompanying cellular deformations are simulated using a mechanical model of the cell and implemented using level set methods, a method that allows simulations of cells as they change morphology.

3D arrays for high throughput assay of cell migration and electrotaxis

Cell behaviour in 3D environments can be significantly different from those in 2D cultures. With many different 3D matrices being developed and many experimental modalities used to modulate cell behaviour in 3D, it is necessary to develop high throughput techniques to study behaviour in 3D. We report on a 3D array on slide and have adapted this to our electrotaxis chamber, thereby offering a novel approach to quantify cellular responses to electric fields (EFs) in 3D conditions, in different matrices, with different strains of cells, under various field strengths. These developments used Dictyostelium cells to illustrate possible applications and limitations.