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Caldesmon regulates the three-dimensional contraction (myosin-dependent contraction of the actin binding protein-induced actin gel).

We managed to develop a three-dimensional contractile model system using gizzard smooth muscle contractile elements. Phosphorylation of myosin was prerequisite for contraction. A high Mr actin-binding protein (ABP, or filamin), which cross-links actin filaments into a three-dimensional meshwork, was an essential factor for the three-dimensional contraction. Caldesmon suppressed contraction through the inhibition of the actin-ABP and actin-myosin interactions. Further, it was found that calmodulin could overcome the inhibitory effects of caldesmon on the above interactions, resulting in contraction. The possibility of this contractile model system being applied to nonmuscle contractile event is also discussed.

Actins↗

Actin-crosslinking protein regulation of filament movement in motility assays: a theoretical model.

The interaction of single actin filaments on a myosin-coated coverslip has been modeled by several authors. One model adds a component of "frictional drag" by myosin heads that oppose movement of the actin filaments. We have extended this concept by including the resistive drag from actin crosslinking proteins to understand better the relationship among crosslinking number, actin-myosin force generation, and motility. The validity of this model is supported by agreement with the experimental results from a previous study in which crosslinking proteins were added with myosin molecules under otherwise standard motility assay conditions. The theoretical relationship provides a means to determine many physical parameters that characterize the interaction between a single actin filament and a single actin-crosslinking molecule (various types). In particular, the force constant of a single filamin molecule is calculated as 1.105 pN, approximately 3 times less than a driving myosin head (3.4 pN). Knowledge of this parameter and others derived from this model allows a better understanding of the interaction between myosin and the actin/actin-binding protein cytoskeleton and the role of actin-binding proteins in the regulation and modulation of motility.

Actins↗

Glycoprotein Ib/IX/V binding to the membrane skeleton maintains shear-induced platelet aggregation.

The extracellular domain of glycoprotein (Gp) Ibalpha serves as the von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor that triggers shear stress-dependent platelet aggregation. Its intracellular domain associates with actin-binding protein-280 (filamin 1a) that binds directly to filamentous actin, thereby linking the membrane skeleton to GpIbalpha. We examined the functional significance of GpIbalpha interactions with actin during platelet aggregation in response to 120 dyn/cm(2) shear stress. Lysates of resting and sheared platelets were centrifuged at approximately 13,000xg for 15 min, and GpIbalpha was immunoprecipitated from the lysate supernatant. GpIbalpha and coimmunoprecipitated proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotted with antibodies specific for GpIbalpha and actin. We observed a significant increase in the amounts of actin coimmunoprecipitating with GpIbalpha as platelets aggregated in response to shear stress. Actin/GpIbalpha interactions reached a maximum after 90 s of shear stress. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) blockade of vWf binding to GpIbalpha inhibited shear stress-induced platelet aggregation and actin associating with GpIbalpha. Pretreatment of platelets with cytochalasin D resulted in the inhibition of actin binding to GpIbalpha in sheared platelets and in an increase in the rate and magnitude of platelet disaggregation. These data indicate that shear stress causes changes in the association between GpIbalpha and the actin-based membrane skeleton. The increased interaction between GpIbalpha and the actin-based membrane skeleton results from shear-induced vWf binding to GpIbalpha and is mechanoprotective in that it maintains shear-induced aggregation of activated platelets.

Actins↗

Studies on the dual effects on platelets of a monoclonal antibody to CD9, and on the properties of platelet CD9.

The article describes effects on human platelets of a murine monoclonal antibody of the IgG2a subtype (clone FN99) directed against the membrane glycoprotein CD9. This antibody exerts a dual action on human platelets in plasma depending on whether the complement system can be activated or not, resulting either in membrane permeabilization or a true platelet aggregation. Secretion from the alpha-granules during permeabilisation was not observed in the sense that the granule-located protein thrombospondin was retained in the platelets, as opposed to what was seen with platelets that had undergone an antibody-induced aggregation. Only a small fraction of P-selectin was found on the surface of the permeabilised platelets. The cytoskeletal protein actin-binding protein (filamin) was profoundly degraded during membrane permeabilisation, however, and scanning electron microscopy showed platelets that were swollen with only a few pseudopodia. Preincubation of platelets with three different antibodies to CD9 showed strong inhibition of a subsequent binding of FITC-labelled Fab fragment of FN99 indicating that antibodies tend to bind in the same area of the CD9 molecule. No association of CD9 to the platelet actin-based cytoskeleton was observed. CD9 was present on the surface of microvesicles derived from calcium ionophore-treated platelets.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The palladin/myotilin/myopalladin family of actin-associated scaffolds.

The dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton plays a critical role in cellular morphogenesis and cell motility. Actin-associated scaffolds are key to this process, as they recruit cohorts of actin-binding proteins and associated signaling complexes to subcellular sites where remodeling is required. This review is focused on a recently discovered family of three proteins, myotilin, palladin, and myopalladin, all of which function as scaffolds that regulate actin organization. While myotilin and myopalladin are most abundant in skeletal and cardiac muscle, palladin is ubiquitously expressed in the organs of developing vertebrates. Palladin's function has been investigated primarily in the central nervous system and in tissue culture, where it appears to play a key role in cellular morphogenesis. The three family members each interact with specific molecular partners: all three bind to alpha-actinin; in addition, palladin also binds to vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and ezrin, myotilin binds to filamin and actin, and myopalladin also binds to nebulin and cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP). Since mutations in myotilin result in two forms of muscle disease, an essential role for this family member in organizing the skeletal muscle sarcomere is implied.

Actinin↗

Factor VIIa/tissue factor-induced signaling: a link between clotting and disease.

Tissue factor is a cellular receptor for plasma clotting factor VII. In health, tissue factor is constitutively expressed in many cells, such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes, but is absent in vascular cells that come in contact with blood. However, tissue factor is induced in vascular cells in certain pathophysiological conditions. Thus, vessel wall injury or a disease condition allows blood to come in contact with tissue factor, resulting in factor VII binding to tissue factor. Once native factor VII complexed with tissue factor is converted to the enzyme factor VIIa, the complex triggers the clotting cascade that ultimately leads to fibrin formation. In addition to its established role in coagulation, molecular links between factor VIIa/tissue factor and various biological processes, such as development, inflammation, and tumor metastasis, are also evident. Recent studies suggest that factor VIIa/tissue factor affects various cellular processes by inducing intracellular signaling. Emerging evidence suggest that factor VIIa/tissue factor participates in cell signaling by two distinct mechanisms: proteolysis-independent signaling via the cytoplasmic domain of tissue factor, and proteolysis-dependent signaling, which is independent of tissue factor's cytoplasmic tail. In proteolysis-independent signaling, filamin 1 is recruited to tissue factor upon its ligation, and this probably provides an essential intracellular link in transmitting signals from tissue factor. In proteolysis-dependent signaling, factor VIIa/tissue factor activates one or more protease-activated receptors, which couple to G proteins, to impact multiple signaling pathways. In this chapter, we review various nonhemostatic functions attributed to factor VIIa and tissue factor, describe signaling mechanisms initiated upon factor VIIa binding to tissue factor, and discuss how factor VIIa/tissue factor-induced signaling could contribute to various pathophysiological processes. The relationship between increased clotting and manifestation of various diseases is well recognized. Although aberrant activation of the coagulation pathway is primarily the consequence of a disease, activation of the coagulation pathway during the disease process, in turn, could contribute to pathogenesis of the disease. Further, recent transgenic studies in mouse suggest that the coagulation system also plays a role in embryogenesis and development. Then the question arises, how do proteins involved in the clotting regulate cellular functions? The coagulant proteases can regulate cell behavior in a number of ways. They can function like hormones, activating multiple signaling pathways, as well as release bioactive fragments and growth factors by proteolysis of cell-surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the role of factor VIIa/tissue factor (VIIa/TF), an enzyme/cofactor complex that triggers the clotting cascade, in affecting various cellular functions not related to the clotting, and discusses potential mechanisms by which it regulates cellular functions.

Animals↗

Coevolution of actin and associated proteins: an alpha-actinin-like protein in a cyanobacterium (Spirulina platensis).

Actin, together with associated proteins, such as myosin, cross-linking or capping proteins, has been observed in all eukaryotic cells. Presence of actin or actin-like proteins has also been reported in prokaryotic organisms belonging to the cyanobacteria. Our aim was first to extend the characterization of an actin-like protein to another prokaryotic cell, i.e. Spirulina, then to compare the antigenic reactivity of this new protein with that of Synechocystis and skeletal actins. We observed that some of the conserved antigenic epitopes corresponded to actin regions known to interact with cross-linking proteins. We also report for the first time that alpha-actinin and filamin purified from chicken gizzard both interact with a prokaryotic actin-like protein. Finally, we searched for the occurrence of a cross-linking protein in these cyanobacteria and identified a 105-kDa protein as an alpha-actinin-like protein using specific antibodies.

Actinin↗

Identification of a novel mammalian endoplasmic reticulum-resident KDEL protein using an EST database motif search.

Several endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteins contain a unique C-terminal sequence (KDEL) which is required for the retention of these proteins in the ER. By searching a mouse EST database for records containing the nucleotide sequence encoding the KDEL motif, we extracted cDNAs encoding putative novel ER-resident proteins in addition to all of the known ER proteins bearing the KDEL motif. Using the sequence information obtained by this database search, we cloned the cDNA encoding a novel KDEL motif-bearing protein, ER protein 58 (EP58), sharing no significant homology to any of the known ER-resident proteins. Subcellular localization of EP58 in the ER was confirmed by cytoimmunofluorescence studies using epitope-tagged EP58. The EP58 gene was primarily expressed in embryo, placenta, and adult heart. Neither heat shock nor ER stress as tested here was sufficient to induce expression of the EP58 gene. A putative role of the N-terminal half of EP58 in protein-protein interaction is suggested by its similarity to the filamin rod domain. Similarity of the EP58 sequence with bacterial and fungus proteins suggests a possible role for EP58 in polysaccharide biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neuronal migration.

Like other motile cells, neurons migrate in three schematic steps, namely leading edge extension, nuclear translocation or nucleokinesis, and retraction of the trailing process. In addition, neurons are ordered into architectonic patterns at the end of migration. Leading edge extension can proceed at the extremity of the axon, by growth cone formation, or from the dendrites, by formation of dendritic tips. Among both categories of leading edges, variation seems to be related to the rate of extension of the leading process. Leading edge extension is directed by microfilament polymerization following integration of extracellular cues and is regulated by Rho-type small GTPases. In humans, mutations of filamin, an actin-associated protein, result in heterotopic neurons, probably due to defective leading edge extension. The second event in neuron migration is nucleokinesis, a process which is critically dependent on the microtubule network, as shown in many cell types, from slime molds to vertebrates. In humans, mutations in the PAFAH1B1 gene (more commonly called LIS1) or in the doublecortin (DCX) gene result in type 1 lissencephalies that are most probably due to defective nucleokinesis. Both the Lis1 and doublecortin proteins interact with microtubules, and two Lis1-interacting proteins, Nudel and mammalian NudE, are components of the dynein motor complex and of microtubule organizing centers. In mice, mutations of Cdk5 or of its activators p35 and p39 result in a migration phenotype compatible with defective nucleokinesis, although an effect on leading edge formation is also likely. The formation of architectonic patterns at the end of migration requires the integrity of the Reelin signalling pathway. Other known components of the pathway include members of the lipoprotein receptor family, the intracellular adaptor Dab1, and possibly integrin alpha 3 beta 1. Defective Reelin leads to poor lamination and, in humans, to a lissencephaly phenotype different from type 1 lissencephaly. Although the action of Reelin is unknown, it may trigger some recognition-adhesion among target neurons. Finally, pattern formation requires the integrity of the external limiting membrane, defects of which lead to overmigration of neurons in meninges and to human type 2 lissencephaly.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗

Beyond LGMD1A: myotilin is a component of central core lesions and nemaline rods.

Myotilin is a Z-disc protein that binds alpha-actinin, gamma-filamin and F-actin. The essential role of myotilin in skeletal muscle is highlighted by the recent observation that autosomal dominant limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 1A is caused by mutations in the human myotilin gene. We studied the expression and subcellular distribution of myotilin in nemaline myopathy, central core disease, centronuclear myopathy, and myopathies with tubular aggregates. A prominent myotilin immunostaining of nemaline rods and core lesions was detected in all ten cases of nemaline myopathy and five cases of central core disease. This renders myotilin a sensitive, though non-specific marker for these structural lesions. Western blot analysis did not indicate an increased myotilin expression in nemaline myopathy muscle. However, the analysis indicated upregulation of a 75 kDa immunoreactive band, very weak in control muscle but previously detected in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1A samples. Our findings indicate that myotilin is a core structural molecule in nemaline rods and central core lesions and suggest modification of myotilin in nemaline myopathy, and further support the notion that myotilin may have a key role in the dynamic molecular events mediating myofibril assembly in normal and diseased human skeletal muscle.

Antibody Specificity↗

The bacterial actin nucleator protein ActA of Listeria monocytogenes contains multiple binding sites for host microfilament proteins.

BACKGROUND: Several intracellular pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, use components of the host actin-based cytoskeleton for intracellular movement and for cell-to-cell spread. These bacterial systems provide relatively simple model systems with which to study actin-based motility. Genetic analysis of L. monocytogenes led to the identification of the 90 kD surface-bound ActA polypeptide as the sole bacterial factor required for the initiation of recruitment of host actin filaments. Numerous host actin-binding proteins have been localized within the actin-based cytoskeleton that surrounds Listeria once it is inside a mammalian cell, including alpha-actinin, fimbrin, filamin, villin, ezrin/radixin, profilin and the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, VASP. Only VASP is known to bind directly to ActA. We sought to determine which regions of the ActA molecule interact with VASP and other components of the host microfilament system. RESULTS: We used the previously developed mitochondrial targeting assay to determine regions of the ActA protein that are involved in the recruitment of the host actin-based cytoskeleton. By examining amino-terminally truncated ActA derivatives for their ability to recruit cytoskeletal proteins, an essential element for actin filament nucleation was identified between amino acids 128 and 151 of ActA. An ActA derivative from which the central proline-rich repeats were deleted retained its ability to recruit filamentous actin, albeit poorly, but was unable to bind VASP. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies reveal the initial interactions that take place between invading Listeria and host microfilament proteins. The listerial ActA polypeptide contains at least two essential sites that are required for efficient microfilament assembly: an amino-terminal 23 amino-acid region for actin filament nucleation, and VASP-binding proline-rich repeats. Hence, ActA represents a prototype actin filament nucleator. We suggest that host cell analogues of ActA exist and are important components of structures involved in cell motility.

Actins↗

Crystal structure of the actin-binding region of utrophin reveals a head-to-tail dimer.

BACKGROUND: Utrophin is a large multidomain protein that belongs to a superfamily of actin-binding proteins, which includes dystrophin, alpha-actinin, beta-spectrin, fimbrin, filamin and plectin. All the members of this family contain a common actin-binding region at their N termini and perform a wide variety of roles associated with the actin cytoskeleton. Utrophin is the autosomal homologue of dystrophin, the protein defective in the X-linked Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, and upregulation of utrophin has been suggested as a potential therapy for muscular dystrophy patients. RESULTS: The structure of the actin-binding region of utrophin, consisting of two calponin-homology (CH) domains, has been solved at 3.0 A resolution. It is composed of an antiparallel dimer with each of the monomers being present in an extended dumbell shape and the two CH domains being separated by a long central helix. This extended conformation is in sharp contrast to the compact monomer structure of the N-terminal actin-binding region of fimbrin. CONCLUSIONS: The crystal structure of the actin-binding region of utrophin suggests that these actin-binding domains may be more flexible than was previously thought and that this flexibility may allow domain reorganisation and play a role in the actin-binding mechanism. Thus utrophin could possibly bind to actin in an extended conformation so that the sites previously identified as being important for actin binding may be directly involved in this interaction.

Actins↗

Sarcoglycans in vascular smooth and striated muscle.

Sarcoglycans are transmembrane proteins important in the maintenance of proper muscle function. Together, the sarcoglycans form a heteromeric complex that interacts with dystrophin, dystroglycan, and filamin C to form a mechanosignaling complex. Mutations in the genes encoding sarcoglycan can produce cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. Studies of patients and animal models have emphasized the variability in penetrance and severity of cardiomyopathy. In animal models of sarcoglycan mutations, muscular dystrophy develops owing to loss of the sarcoglycan complex at the membrane of skeletal myocytes. Cardiomyopathy similarly develops with evidence of focal areas of degeneration and necrosis, as well as loss of sarcoglycan at the cardiomyocyte membrane. Vascular spasm has been noted as a feature of sarcoglycan-mediated cardiomyopathy. Recent evidence suggests that disruption of the smooth muscle sarcoglycan complex is not required for the development of vascular spasm and that vascular spasm arises from a vascular smooth muscle cell-extrinsic process.

Animals↗

The "Le Chatelier's principle"-governed response of actin filaments to osmotic stress.

Actin filaments inhibit osmotic stress-driven water flow across a semipermeable membrane in proportion to the filament concentration (Ito, T.; Zaner, K. S.; Stossel, T. P. Biophys. J. 1987, 51, 745). When the filaments are cross-linked by F-actin binding protein, filamin A, this flow is stopped completely (Ito, T.; Suzuki, A.; Stossel, T. P. Biophys. J. 1992, 61, 1301). No conventional theory accurately accounts for these results. Here, this response is analyzed by formulating the entropy of the system under osmotic stress. Results demonstrate that the response of the actin filaments to osmotic stress is governed by the Le Chatelier's principle, which states that an external interaction that disturbs the equilibrium brings about processes in the body that tend to reduce the effects of this interaction. In the present case, disrupting equilibrium by osmotic stress brings about a reaction that decreases the chemical potential of water in the F-actin solution, reducing the effect of the applied osmotic disturbance. This decrease in the chemical potential of the water in the F-actin solution is caused by an increase in the chemical potential of F-actin, which is induced by isothermal absorption of heat by F-actin aided by work done by osmotic stress. As a result, F-actin has an inhibitory effect on the osmotic stress-driven water flow, and can even completely stop the flow when it is cross-linked. This is the first report demonstrating that the Le Chatelier's principle applies to the reaction of biopolymers against equilibrium disturbances such as osmotic stress.

Actins↗

Differential protein expression profiling by iTRAQ-2DLC-MS/MS of lung cancer cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition reveals a migratory/invasive phenotype.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of epithelial cells in both normal embryonic development and certain pathological contexts. Here, we show that TGF-beta induced-EMT in human lung cancer cells (A549; adenocarcinoma cells) mediates tumor cell migration and invasion phenotypes. To gain insights into molecular events during EMT, we employed a global stable isotope labeled profiling strategy using iTRAQ reagents, followed by 2DLC-MS/MS, which identified a total of 51 differentially expressed proteins during EMT; 29 proteins were up-regulated and 22 proteins were down-regulated. Down-regulated proteins were predominantly enzymes involved in regulating nutrient or drug metabolism. The majority of the TGF-beta-induced proteins (such as tropomyosins, filamin A, B, & C, integrin-beta1, heat shock protein27, transglutaminase2, cofilin, 14-3-3 zeta, ezrin-radixin-moesin) are involved in the regulation of cell migration, adhesion and invasion, suggesting the acquisition of a invasive phenotype.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Some properties of caldesmon and calponin and the participation of these proteins in regulation of smooth muscle contraction and cytoskeleton formation.

The interaction of caldesmon with different Ca2+-binding proteins has been analyzed, and it is supposed that one of the conformers of calmodulin might be an endogenous regulator of caldesmon. The arrangement of caldesmon and Ca2+-binding proteins within their complexes has been analyzed by different methods. The central helix of calmodulin is supposed to be located near the single Cys residue in the C-terminal domain of caldesmon. The N-terminal globular domain of calmodulin interacts with sites A and B' of caldesmon, whereas the C-terminal globular domain of calmodulin binds to site B of caldesmon. The complex of calmodulin and caldesmon is very flexible; therefore, both parallel and antiparallel orientation of polypeptide chains of the two proteins is possible in experiments with short fragments of caldesmon and calmodulin. The length, flexibility, and charge of the central helix of calmodulin play an important role in its interaction with caldesmon. Phosphorylation of caldesmon by different protein kinases in vitro has been analyzed. It was shown that phosphorylation catalyzed by casein kinase II of sites located in the N-terminal domain decreases the interaction of caldesmon with myosin and tropomyosin. Caldesmon and calponin may interact with phospholipids. The sites involved in the interaction of these actin-binding proteins with phospholipids have been mapped. It is supposed that the interaction of calponin and caldesmon with phospholipids may play a role in the formation of cytoskeleton. Calponin interacts with 90-kD heat shock protein (hsp90) that may be involved in transportation of calponin and its proper interaction with different elements of cytoskeleton. Calponin, filamin, and alpha-actinin can simultaneously interact with actin filaments. Simultaneous binding of two actin-binding proteins affects the structure of actin bundles and their mechanical properties and may be of great importance in formation of different elements of cytoskeleton.

Actins↗

Requirement of yeast fimbrin for actin organization and morphogenesis in vivo.

The SAC6 gene was found by suppression of a yeast actin mutation. Its protein product, Sac6p (previously referred to as ABP67), was independently isolated by actin-filament affinity chromatography and colocalizes with actin in vivo. Thus Sac6p binds to actin in vitro, and functionally associates with actin structures involved in the development and maintenance of cell polarity in vivo. We report here that Sac6p is an actin-filament bundling protein 43% identical in amino-acid sequence to the vertebrate bundling protein fimbrin. This yeast fimbrin homologue contains two putative actin-binding regions homologous to domains of dystrophin, beta-spectrin, filamin, actin-gelation protein and alpha-actinin. Mutants lacking Sac6p do not form normal actin structures and are defective in morphogenesis. These findings demonstrate an in vivo role for the well-documented biochemical interaction between fimbrin and actin.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗