Active stresses are generated and transmitted throughout diverse F-actin architectures within the cell cytoskeleton, and drive essential behaviors of the cell, from cell division to migration. However, while the impact of F-actin architecture on the transmission of stress is well studied, the role of architecture on the ab initio generation of stresses remains less understood. Here, we assemble F-actin networks in vitro, whose architectures are varied from branched to bundled through F-actin nucleation via Arp2/3 and the formin mDia1. Within these architectures, we track the motions of embedded myosin thick filaments and connect them to the extent of F-actin network deformation. While mDia1-nucleated networks facilitate the accumulation of stress and drive contractility through enhanced actomyosin sliding, branched networks prevent stress accumulation through the inhibited processivity of thick filaments. The reduction in processivity is due to a decrease in translational and rotational motions constrained by the local density and geometry of F-actin.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9669029 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34715-6 | DOI Listing |
Lab Chip
January 2025
Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland.
A novel microfluidic platform was designed to study the cellular architecture of endothelial cells (ECs) in an environment replicating the 3D organization and flow of blood vessels. In particular, the platform was constructed to investigate EC defects in slow-flow venous malformations (VMs) under varying shear stress and flow conditions. The platform featured a standard microtiter plate footprint containing 32 microfluidic units capable of replicating wall shear stress (WSS) in normal veins and enabling precise control of shear stress and flow directionality without the need for complex pumping systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMemory is incorporated into the brain as physicochemical changes to engram cells. These are neuronal populations that form complex neuroanatomical circuits, are modified by experiences to store information, and allow for memory recall. At the molecular level, learning modifies synaptic communication to rewire engram circuits, a mechanism known as synaptic plasticity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
December 2024
Scientific Research Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia.
A growing body of evidence suggests that actin plays a role in nuclear architecture, genome organisation, and regulation. Our study of human lung adenocarcinoma cells demonstrates that the equilibrium between actin isoforms affects the composition of the nuclear lamina, which in turn influences nuclear stiffness and cellular behaviour. The downregulation of β-actin resulted in an increase in nuclear area, accompanied by a decrease in A-type lamins and an enhancement in lamin B2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomolecules
December 2024
Zoological Institute RAS, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.
Amoebozoa is a group of single-celled organisms that change their shape during locomotion. However, there is a taxon-specific complex of morphological characters inherent in the moving amoebae, known as locomotive forms. Actin is one of the proteins most important for amoeboid movement that, together with actin-binding proteins, construct the architecture of the cytoskeleton in the amoeboid cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoft Matter
January 2025
Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
The eukaryotic cytoskeleton is an intricate network of three types of mechanically distinct biopolymers - actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments (IFs). These filamentous networks determine essential cellular functions and properties. Among them, microtubules are important for intracellular transport and establishing cell polarity during migration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!