Candida albicans Als adhesins have conserved amyloid-forming sequences.

The cell wall-bound Als adhesins of Candida albicans mediate both yeast-to-host tissue adherence and yeast aggregation. This aggregation is amyloid-like, with self-propagating secondary-structure changes, amyloid-characteristic dye binding, and induced birefringence (J. M.

Molecular organization and in vivo function of the cytoskeleton of amphibian erythrocytes.

One prominent cytoskeletal feature of non-mammalian vertebrate erythrocytes is the marginal band (MB), composed of microtubules. However, there have been several reports of MB-associated F-actin. We have further investigated the function of MB-associated F-actin, using newt erythrocytes having large, thick MBs.

Self-organization of microtubule bundles in anucleate fission yeast cells.

Self-organization of cellular structures is an emerging principle underlying cellular architecture. Properties of dynamic microtubules and microtubule-binding proteins contribute to the self-assembly of structures such as microtubule asters. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, longitudinal arrays of cytoplasmic microtubule bundles regulate cell polarity and nuclear positioning.

Polar body formation in Spisula oocytes: function of the peripheral aster.

Activated Spisula oocytes proceed through meiotic stages rapidly and in near synchrony, providing an excellent system for analyzing polar body formation. Our previous studies suggested that cortical spreading of the metaphase peripheral aster determines spatial features of the cortical F-actin ring that is generated prior to extrusion of the polar body. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally altering the number and cortical contact patterns of peripheral asters.

Global cell surface conformational shift mediated by a Candida albicans adhesin.

Candida albicans maintains both commensal and pathogenic states in humans. Both states are dependent on cell surface-expressed adhesins, including those of the Als family. Heterologous expression of Als5p at the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in Als5p-mediated adhesion to various ligands, followed by formation of multicellular aggregates.

Cytoskeletal organization of limulus amebocytes pre- and post-activation: comparative aspects.

One of the major functions of circulating Limulus amebocytes is to effect blood coagulation upon receipt of appropriate signals. However, the hypothesis that Limulus amebocytes are fundamentally similar to vertebrate thrombocytes and platelets has not been tested sufficiently in previous studies of their cytoskeletal organization. Whereas the earlier data were derived from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of thin sections of a limited number of cells, improved fluorescence labeling methods that retain cell morphology have now enabled us to survey F-actin and microtubule organization in intact individual amebocytes and in large amebocyte populations pre- and post-activation.

Shape transformation and cytoskeletal reorganization in activated non-mammalian thrombocytes.

The nucleated thrombocytes of non-mammalian vertebrates are partially flattened, ovoid cells morphologically distinct from mammalian platelets, and the extent of their functional equivalence is unknown. To test whether they resemble platelets in having similar F-actin-based post-activation stages, rapid fixation/extraction/labeling methods were developed to reveal cytoskeletal organization in dogfish thrombocytes by confocal microscopy. Unactivated cells contained cortical F-actin plus denser F-actin co-localizing with outer marginal band (MB) microtubules.