The formation and fine-tuning of cytoskeleton in cells are governed by proteins that influence actin filament dynamics. Tropomodulin (Tmod) regulates the length of actin filaments by capping the pointed ends in a tropomyosin (TM)-dependent manner. Tmod1, Tmod2 and Tmod3 are associated with the cytoskeleton of non-muscle cells and their expression has distinct consequences on cell morphology. To understand the molecular basis of differences in the function and localization of Tmod isoforms in a cell, we compared the actin filament-binding abilities of Tmod1, Tmod2 and Tmod3 in the presence of Tpm3.1, a non-muscle TM isoform. Tmod3 displayed preferential binding to actin filaments when competing with other isoforms. Mutating the second or both TM-binding sites of Tmod3 destroyed its preferential binding. Our findings clarify how Tmod1, Tmod2 and Tmod3 compete for binding actin filaments. Different binding mechanisms and strengths of Tmod isoforms for Tpm3.1 contribute to their divergent functional capabilities.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5079755 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2016.04.006 | DOI Listing |
Cell Mol Biol Lett
January 2025
Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
Proper adhesion of cells to their environment is essential for the normal functioning of single cells and multicellular organisms. To attach to the extracellular matrix (ECM), mammalian cells form integrin adhesion complexes consisting of many proteins that together link the ECM and the actin cytoskeleton. Similar to mammalian cells, the amoeboid cells of the protist Dictyostelium discoideum also use multiprotein adhesion complexes to control their attachment to the underlying surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: CHRFAM7A is a human-restricted gene associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The translated CHRFAM7A protein incorporates into the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) leading to a hypomorphic receptor. Mechanistic insight from isogenic iPSC derived neuronal and mononuclear cells demonstrated that CHRFAM7A affects Ca signaling and activates small GTPase Rac1 leading to an actin cytoskeleton gain of function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Open
January 2025
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Epithelial cell cohesion and barrier function critically depend on α-catenin, an actin-binding protein and essential constituent of cadherin-catenin-based adherens junctions. α-catenin undergoes actomyosin force-dependent unfolding of both actin-binding and middle domains to strongly engage actin filaments and its various effectors; this mechanosensitivity is critical for adherens junction function. We previously showed that α-catenin is highly phosphorylated in an unstructured region that links the mechanosensitive middle and actin-binding domains (known as the P-linker region), but the cellular processes that promote α-catenin phosphorylation have remained elusive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Understanding the fundamental differences between the human and pre-human brain is a prerequisite for designing meaningful models and therapies for AD. Expressed CHRFAM7A, a human restricted gene with carrier frequency of 75% in the human population predicts profound translational significance.
Method: The physiological role of CHRFAM7A in human brain is explored using multiomics approach on 600 post mortem human brain tissue samples (ROSMAP).
Front Neurol
December 2024
Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.
Auditory hair cells form precise and sensitive staircase-like actin protrusions known as stereocilia. These specialized microvilli detect deflections induced by sound through the activation of mechano-electrical transduction (MET) channels located at their tips. At rest, a small MET channel current results in a constant calcium influx which regulates the morphology of the actin cytoskeleton in the shorter 'transducing' stereocilia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!