A new biochemical analysis has revealed that the Rickettsia bacterial protein Sca2--recently shown to be essential for virulence and actin-dependent motility--assembles actin filaments using a mechanism that functionally resembles the processive elongation tactics used by formins.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2010.11.041 | DOI Listing |
Structure
January 2025
Molecular Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. Electronic address:
The core component of the actin cytoskeleton is the globular protein G-actin, which reversibly polymerizes into filaments (F-actin). Budding yeast possesses a single actin that shares 87%-89% sequence identity with vertebrate actin isoforms. Previous structural studies indicate very close overlap of main-chain backbones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Biol
January 2025
Cytomorpholab, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire and Végétale, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, INRA, 17 avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France. Electronic address:
In cells, multiple actin networks coexist in a dynamic manner. These networks compete for a common pool of actin monomers and actin-binding proteins. Interestingly, all of these networks manage to coexist despite the strong competition for resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Oncol
January 2025
Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Korea.
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 PDFInt J Mol Med
March 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells undergoing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) are a key factor in promoting the progression of subretinal fibrosis. The klotho protein and gene exert anti‑fibrotic effects in multiple fibrotic diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in the role of klotho are unclear in subretinal fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Biol
January 2025
College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
Background: Abundant research indicates that increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness significantly enhances the malignant characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Plectin, an essential cytoskeletal linker protein, has recently emerged as a promoter of cancer progression, particularly in the context of cancer cell invasion and metastasis. However, the responsiveness of plectin to changes in ECM stiffness and its impact on HCC progression remain unclear.
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