Cellular microtubules are rigid in comparison to other cytoskeletal elements (1,2). To facilitate cytoplasmic remodeling and timely responses to cell signaling events, microtubules depolymerize and repolymerize rapidly at their ends (3). These dynamic properties are critically important for many cellular functions, such as spindle assembly, the capture and segregation of chromosomes during cell division and cell motility. Microtubule dynamics are spatially and temporally controlled in the cell by accessory proteins. Molecular motor proteins of the kinesin superfamily that act to destabilize microtubules play important roles in this regulation (4).

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908303PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-490-2_3DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

vitro vivo
4
vivo analysis
4
analysis microtubule-destabilizing
4
microtubule-destabilizing kinesins
4
kinesins cellular
4
cellular microtubules
4
microtubules rigid
4
rigid comparison
4
comparison cytoskeletal
4
cytoskeletal elements
4

Similar Publications

Confined cell migration along extracellular matrix space in vivo.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

January 2025

Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.

Collective migration of cancer cells is often interpreted using concepts derived from the physics of active matter, but the experimental evidence is mostly restricted to observations made in vitro. Here, we study collective invasion of metastatic cancer cells injected into the mouse deep dermis using intravital multiphoton microscopy combined with a skin window technique and three-dimensional quantitative image analysis. We observe a multicellular but low-cohesive migration mode characterized by rotational patterns which self-organize into antiparallel persistent tracks with orientational nematic order.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Computational-aided rational mutation design of pertuzumab to overcome active HER2 mutation S310F through antibody-drug conjugates.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

January 2025

Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

Recurrent missense mutations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have been identified across various human cancers. Among these mutations, the active S310F mutation in the HER2 extracellular domain stands out as not only oncogenic but also confers resistance to pertuzumab, an antibody drug widely used in clinical cancer therapy, by impeding its binding. In this study, we have successfully employed computational-aided rational design to undertake directed evolution of pertuzumab, resulting in the creation of an evolved pertuzumab variant named Ptz-SA.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The antigen Na-GST-1, expressed by the hookworm Necator americanus, plays crucial biochemical roles in parasite survival. This study explores the development of mRNA vaccine candidates based on Na-GST-1, building on the success of recombinant Na-GST-1 (rNa-GST-1) protein, currently assessed as a subunit vaccine candidate, which has shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies.

Methodology/findings: By leveraging the flexible design of RNA vaccines and protein intracellular trafficking signal sequences, we developed three variants of Na-GST-1 as native (cytosolic), secretory, and plasma membrane-anchored (PM) antigens.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Study Question: Does a human fallopian tube (HFT) organoid model offer a favourable apical environment for human sperm survival and motility?

Summary Answer: After differentiation, the apical compartment of a new HFT organoid model provides a favourable environment for sperm motility, which is better than commercial media.

What Is Known Already: HFTs are the site of major events that are crucial for achieving an ongoing pregnancy, such as gamete survival and competence, fertilization steps, and preimplantation embryo development. In order to better understand the tubal physiology and tubal factors involved in these reproductive functions, and to improve still suboptimal in vitro conditions for gamete preparation and embryo culture during IVF, we sought to develop an HFT organoid model from isolated adult stem cells to allow spermatozoa co-culture in the apical compartment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The dynamics of focal adhesions (FAs) are essential physiological processes involved in cell spreading, metastasis, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. FAs are complex structures comprising proteins, such as paxillin and zyxin, which interact with extracellular membranes and influence cell motility and morphology. Although related studies have been reported in various cancers, the function and molecular mechanisms of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!