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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Actin in spindles of Haemanthus katherinae endosperm. II. Distribution of actin in chromosomal spindle fibres, determined by analysis of serial sections.

We have studied the arrangements of actin-containing filaments in 13 bundles of kinetochore microtubules in glycerinated, heavy meromyosin-treated Haemanthus endosperm cells: 7 bundles were in a cell at anaphase, and 6 were in a cell at metaphase. Actin-containing filaments were present in each of the 13 bundles of kinetochore microtubules: they were in amongst the microtubules in the bundle and seemed to be associated with the microtubules. Actin-containing filaments in each bundle seemed to terminate at the kinetochores. Actin-containing filaments associated with the kinetochore microtubules were of consistent polarity (the arrowheads pointed towards the kinetochores) whereas those associated with other microtubles and those not associated with microtubules did not have consistent polarity (some pointed towards the spindle pole, others pointed away from it). Roughly, there were as many individual stretches of actin-containing filaments identified per bundle of kinetochore microtubules as there were microtubules which terminated at the kinetochore. These data suggest that actin-containing filaments in spindles have a functional role. We used 2 glycerination procedures in our studies (one for each cell), and neither seemed to disrupt the basic microtubule arrangements: the arrangements of spindle microtubules seen after glycerination of Haemanthus endosperm were identical to those described previously by others in non-glycerinated glutaraldehyde-fixed Haemanthus endosperm. Thus we argue that spindle structure is not disrupted by the procedures, and therefore that the arrangements of actin-containing filaments are not artifacts of the glycerination procedures. The only difference between microtubules in glycerinated cells and microtubules in untreated cells is that there seem to be fewer in the glycerinated cells. The possible role of actin-containing filaments in the spindle is discussed.

Actins↗
PubMed2003

Actin tyrosine dephosphorylation by the Src homology 1-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase is essential for actin depolymerization after membrane IgM cross-linking.

Src homology protein 1 (SHP-1) plays an important role in B cell Ag receptor (BCR) differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. After BCR stimulation in apoptotic cells, SHP-1 has been shown to be recruited to phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs present in receptors such as CD22 and CD72. However, the substrates of SHP-1 in the chicken B cell line, DT40, have remained undefined. To identify SHP-1 substrates in DT40, we used a trapping mutant, SHP-1 C/S (a catalytically inactive form). Cross-linking of BCR induced hyperphosphorylation of approximately 44-kDa protein in C/S transfectants. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed that this was actin (cytoplasmic type 5) carrying three immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-like sequences. SHP-1 was shown to bind to one of these sequences in synthetic peptide binding experiment. Thus, actin is a direct SHP-1 substrate. Furthermore, more SHP-1 molecules translocate into lipid rafts, and their association with actin was increased after BCR stimulation. In C/S transfectants, actin polymerization induced by membrane IgM ligation was sustained to a greater extent for a longer time compared with wild-type transfectants. Therefore, actin dephosphorylation by SHP-1 is essential for actin depolymerization after BCR stimulation. Our data suggest that SHP-1 plays a pivotal role in reorganization of cytoskeletal architecture inducing actin dephosphorylation. These results clearly demonstrate the direct interaction of SHP-1 with actin.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of mechanism of transformation of ATP-G actin to F actin in Mg(2+)-containing solutions by UV absorption spectra].

The mechanism of transformation of ATP-G actin to F actin by the action of Mg2+ ions was studied by measuring UV absorption spectra of solutions of monomeric Ca(2+)-ATP-G actin in the presence of MgCl2 and of Mg(2+)-ATP-G actin. The protein solutions contained no excessive free ATP. The changes in the UV absorption spectra of monomeric ATP-G actin that result from the interaction with Mg2+ are explained by the formation of ADP-G actin from monomeric ATP-G actin due to hydrolysis of ATP which is considered as the initial step of the transformation to F actin.

Actins↗
PubMed1983

Distribution of actin and the actin-associated proteins myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, vinculin, and villin in rat and bovine exocrine glands.

Actin, myosin, and the actin-associated proteins tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, vinculin, and villin were localized in acinar cells of rat and bovine pancreas, parotid, and prostate glands by means of immunofluorescent staining of both frozen tissue sections and semithin sections of quick-frozen, freeze-dried, and plastic-embedded tissues. Antibodies to actin, myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, and villin reacted strongly with a narrow cytoplasmic band extending beneath the luminal border of acinar cells. The presence of villin, which has so far been demonstrated only in intestinal and kidney brush border, was further confirmed by antibody staining of blotted electrophoresis gels of whole acinar cell extracts. Fluorescently labelled phalloidin, which reacts specifically with F-actin, gave similar staining, within the cell apex to that obtained with antibodies to actin, myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, and villin. In contrast, immunostaining with antibodies to vinculin was restricted to the area of the junctional complex. Ultrastructurally, the apical immunoreactive band corresponded to a dense web composed of interwoven microfilaments, which could be decorated with heavy meromyosin. Outside this apical terminal web, antibodies to myosin and tropomyosin gave only a weak immunostaining (confined to the lateral cell borders) whereas antibodies to actin and alpha-actinin led to a rather strong bead-like staining along the lateral and basal cell membrane most probably marking microfilament-associated desmosomes. Anti-villin immunofluorescence was confined to the apical terminal web. It is suggested that the apical terminal web is important for the control of transport and access of secretory granules to the luminal plasma membrane and that villin, which is known to bundle or sever actin filaments in a Ca(++)-dependent manner, might participate in the regulation of actin polymerization within this strategically located network of contractile proteins.

Actinin↗
PubMed1992

A nonapeptide to the putative F-actin binding site of annexin-II tetramer inhibits its calcium-dependent activation of actin filament bundling.

A synthetic nonapeptide, Val-Leu-Ile-Arg-Ile-Met-Val-Ser-Arg, corresponding to residues 286-294 of annexin-II tetramer (A-IIt), was shown to completely inhibit the Ca(2+)-dependent bundling of F-actin by this protein. The inhibitory effect of the nonapeptide required preincubation with F-actin and was reversed by the addition of excess A-IIt. Kinetic analysis suggested that the nonapeptide reduced the K(0.5) but not the Vmax of F-actin bundling. In contrast, addition of excess nonapeptide to A-IIt-bundled F-actin did not reverse F-actin bundle formation. Although the nonapeptide produced a dose-dependent inhibition of A-IIt-dependent F-actin bundling, the binding of A-IIt to F-actin was not affected. These results identify a domain of A-IIt that is involved in the bundling activity of the protein and suggest that this domain binds transiently with F-actin, resulting in activation of the bundling activity of A-IIt.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

[The effect of Mg-ADP on the structural state of actin in the F-actin-myosin subfragment-1 complex].

Using polarized microfluorometry techniques, a study was made on the orientation and mobility of fluorescent probes 1,5-IAEDANS and rhomadin-phalloidin, located in various parts of actin, muscle fibers free of myosin, tropomyosin and troponin (ghost fibres) being used. It was found that the binding of a myosin subfragment 1 (S1) to actin induced changes in polarized fluorescence of the fibers. The analysis of these data showed that the formation of actin-S1 and actin-S1-ADP complexes in a muscle fiber resulted in a decrease in the angle between the thin filaments and the emission dipole of phalloidin-rhodamine, as well as in an increase of the mobility of this dye. In the experiments with the 1,5-IAEDANS label the angle of emission dipole increased, while the mobility of the label decreased. These changes were smaller in the presence of Mg-ADP than in its absence. It is assumed that the changes in actin monomer structure occur when a myosin head interacts with actin. These changes are expressed as those in orientation and mobility of large and small domains of actin in thin filaments. The domain orientation in actomyosin complex changes, influenced by Mg-ADP. The data obtained allow to propose the involvement of interdomain motions of some parts of actin monomer in the mechanisms of muscle contraction.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

Distribution of actin, actin-binding proteins, 43K protein, and spectrin in D. tschudii electrocytes.

With a view to establishing the location of proteins related to the nicotinic cholinergic receptor (AChR), immunocytochemical studies were carried out in the electric tissue of the South American ray Discopyge tschudii. The receptor protein was localized at the innervated, ventral region of the electrocyte in cryostat sections using Texas Red-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin, a specific AChR marker. A series of antibodies against actin and actin-associated proteins (alpha-actinin, vinculin, tropomyosin and spectrin) were also employed in indirect immunofluorescence assays. Furthermore, with the aid of the monoclonal antibody 1234A, the peripheral, nonreceptor 43K protein was found to be colocated with the AChR and spectrin at the ventral surface of the electrocyte. NBD-phallacidin was used to detect the filamentous form of actin or F-actin. The anti-actin antibody recognized epitopes throughout the electrocyte cytoplasm. F-actin was mainly distributed at the dorsal, non-innervated region, where alpha-actinin, vinculin and tropomyosin were also localized. The results indicate a) the existence of a close structural relationship between the 43K protein, spectrin, and the AChR at the ventral, innervated face of the electrocyte; b) the occurrence of an actin isoform probably mono or oligomeric-throughout the electrocyte's cytoplasm, and c) the possible association of F-actin, localized at the dorsal region of the electrocyte, with alpha-actinin, tropomyosin and vinculin, as in other cellular systems.

Actins↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for the direct interaction between tightly bound divalent metal ion and ATP on actin. Binding of the lambda isomers of beta gamma-bidentate CrATP to actin.

Competition between Ca2+ and Mg2+ for binding to a single high affinity site on actin has been confirmed. Occupancy of this site only by either Ca2+ or Mg2+ affects the conformation of actin and its ability to form nuclei and hydrolyze ATP. G-actin binds the beta gamma-bidentate CrATP, a substitution inert analog of metal-ATP complexes, and shows a high specificity for the lambda isomers. Binding of CrATP to ADP-actin is accompanied by the dissociation of tightly bound ADP and Ca2+. CrATP-actin shows a high tendency to form nuclei, like MgATP-actin. Polymerization of CrATP-actin is accompanied by cleavage of the gamma-phosphate, but subsequent Pi release cannot occur because the product of the reaction is the stable CrADP-Pi complex. All these results support the view that the divalent metal ion tightly bound to actin interacts with the beta- and gamma-phosphates of ATP in the nucleotide site.

Actins↗
PubMed1985

Interaction of plasma gelsolin with G-actin and F-actin in the presence and absence of calcium ions.

Plasma gelsolin formed a very tight 1:2 complex with G-actin in the presence of Ca2+, but no interaction between gelsolin and G-actin was detected in the presence of excess EGTA. However, the 1:2 complex dissociated into a 1:1 gelsolin:actin complex and monomeric actin when excess EGTA was added. Plasma gelsolin bound tightly to the barbed ends of actin filaments and also severed filaments in the presence of Ca2+ and bound weakly to the filament barbed end in the presence of EGTA. The 1:2 gelsolin-actin complex bound to the barbed ends of filaments but did not sever them. By blocking the barbed end of filaments with plasma gelsolin, we determined the critical concentration at the pointed end in 1 mM MgCl2 and 0.2 mM ATP to be 4 microM. The dissociation rate constant for ADP-G-actin from the pointed end was estimated to be about 0.4 s-1 and the association rate constant to be about 5 X 10(4) M-1 s-1. Finally, we obtained evidence that plasma gelsolin accelerates but does not bypass the nucleation step and, therefore, that the concentration of gelsolin does not directly determine the concentration of filaments polymerized in its presence. Thus, gelsolin-capped filaments may not provide an absolutely reliable method for determining the rate constant for the association of ATP-G-actin at the pointed ends of filaments, but a reasonable estimate would be 1 X 10(5) M-1 s-1 in 1 mM MgCl2 and 0.2 mM ATP.

Actins↗
PubMed1986

Structure and complete nucleotide sequence of the chicken alpha-smooth muscle (aortic) actin gene. An actin gene which produces multiple messenger RNAs.

The alpha-smooth muscle (aortic) actin gene is a distinct member of the actin multigene family which is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells. We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of 11 kilobase pairs of genomic DNA encoding the chicken alpha-smooth muscle actin gene. This single copy gene specifies a protein identical in sequence to the major alpha-actin from bovine aorta. The protein-coding sequences are interrupted by seven introns which are at codons specifying amino acid residues 41/42, 84/85, 121/122, 150, 204, 267, and 327/328. An eighth intron was found in the mRNA 5' untranslated region. The 5' flanking sequences contain elements which are conserved in other chicken muscle actin genes. Additional sequences at the 5' end of the gene may be conserved in at least one human actin gene. We have identified at least four messenger RNAs ranging in size from approximately 1370 to 2700 nucleotides (excluding poly(A) tails) which are transcribed from the alpha-smooth muscle actin gene. These RNAs differ in the length of their 3' untranslated regions, probably as a result of the utilization of alternative polyadenylation signals. This is the first report of an actin gene with multiple mRNA transcripts.

Actins↗
PubMed1984

Actin organization in chick embryo fibroblasts after influenza virus infection. I. Isolation and characterization of actin from chick embryo cells.

Comparison of two starting materials for actin purification has shown that preparation of actin from aceton-dried cytoskeleton was more effective than from native chick embryos (CE). The isolated actin formed a single band of Mr = 42-43000 in SDS-PAGE; less purified samples revealed additional faint bands. G form of actin (non-polymerized) inhibited the activity of DNase I, electron microscopy showed actin filaments and bundles formed upon its polymerization. The freshly purified homogeneous actin has not lost its DNase I-inhibiting activity when incubated for 60 min at 35 degrees or 45 degrees C. Older or less purified actin samples kept under similar conditions showed 18-25% decrease of their DNase I-inhibiting activity and a loss of their polymerization ability. Digestion with trypsin caused a decrease of DNase I-inhibiting activity of fresh as well as for older actin samples.

Acetone↗
PubMed1994

Adenine nucleotides regulate ADP-ribosylation of membrane-bound actin and actin-binding to membranes.

Adenine nucleotides were shown to increase the ADP-ribosylation of actin by Clostridium perfringens iota and Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin in membranes from human platelets, hamster fat cells, rat liver- and rat brain cells. ATP and ATP gamma S were the most effective agents with ATP showing half-maximal and maximal effects at about 2 and 10 microM, respectively. The rank order of various adenine nucleotides were ATP = ATP gamma S > ADP > AMP-PNP >> AMP = cAMP. Guanine nucleotides showed the same rank order of potencies but were less effective than adenine nucleotides. Adenine nucleotides which increased ADP-ribosylation were able to release actin from membranes. [32P]ADP-ribosylated rabbit skeletal muscle actin, which is unable to polymerize, was used as tool to study membrane-binding of actin. The [32P]ADP-ribosylated actin bound to stripped rat liver membranes in a saturable, time- and temperature-dependent manner. ATP inhibited the binding of ADP-ribosylated actin with a half-maximal and maximal inhibitory concentration at about 50 and 300 microM, respectively. The data indicate that actin-binding to membranes is prevented or reversed in the presence of adenine nucleotides thereby increasing the accessibility of actin for ADP-ribosylation by toxins.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed2001

Interaction of elongation factor 1alpha from Zea mays (ZmEF-1alpha) with F-actin and interplay with the maize actin severing protein, ZmADF3.

EF-1alpha is an abundant eukaryotic protein whose principle function appears to be to bind aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome. However, it is also known that EF-1alpha from other sources binds both microtubules and microfilaments. We report the expression of Zea mays EF-1alpha (ZmEF-1alpha) in bacteria and that this protein has similar actin-binding properties as other EF-1alpha members. ZmEF-1alpha bundles actin filaments at low pH (6.5) and inhibits the addition of monomer at both filament ends, possibly as a consequence. ZmEF-1alpha binds actin filaments at all pH values tested (pH 6.0-8.0), indicating that one actin binding site is not pH sensitive. One of the actin-binding sites was determined to reside within domain I (1-223) of ZmEF-1alpha, but this domain did not affect the kinetics of polymerisation. We show that the bundling activity of ZmEF-1alpha is modulated by ZmADF3 a (a Zea mays ADF/cofilin), an actin filament severing protein, in vitro. Bundling of actin filaments caused by ZmEF-1alpha was enhanced in the presence of ZmADF3. The pH-dependent activities of both proteins in vitro suggests that they may work together to respond to temporal and spatial intracellular pH changes to regulate the pattern of the growth of plant cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed2001

The F-actin side binding activity of the Arp2/3 complex is essential for actin nucleation and lamellipod extension.

Most eukaryotic cells rely on localized actin polymerization to generate and sustain the protrusion activity necessary for cell movement [1, 2]. Such protrusions are often in the form of a flat lamellipod with a leading edge composed of a dense network of actin filaments [3, 4]. The Arp2/3 complex localizes within that network in vivo [3, 4] and nucleates actin polymerization and generates a branched network of actin filaments in vitro [5-7]. The complex has thus been proposed to generate the actin network at the leading edge of crawling cells in vivo [3, 4, 8]. However, the relative contributions of nucleation and branching to protrusive force are still unknown. We prepared antibodies to the p34 subunit of the Arp2/3 complex that selectively inhibit side binding of the complex to F-actin. We demonstrate that side binding is required for efficient nucleation and branching by the Arp2/3 complex in vitro. However, microinjection of these antibodies into cells specifically inhibits lamellipod extension without affecting the EGF-stimulated appearance of free barbed ends in situ. These results indicate that while the side binding activity of the Arp2/3 complex is required for nucleation in vitro and for protrusive force in vivo, it is not required for EGF-stimulated increases in free barbed ends in vivo. This suggests that the branching activity of the Arp2/3 complex is essential for lamellipod extension, while the generation of nucleation sites for actin polymerization is not sufficient.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed2000

GRB2 links signaling to actin assembly by enhancing interaction of neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASp) with actin-related protein (ARP2/3) complex.

Proteins of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) family connect signaling pathways to the actin polymerization-driven cell motility. The ubiquitous homolog of WASp, N-WASp, is a multidomain protein that interacts with the Arp2/3 complex and G-actin via its C-terminal WA domain to stimulate actin polymerization. The activity of N-WASp is enhanced by the binding of effectors like Cdc42-guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate, phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, or the Shigella IcsA protein. Here we show that the SH3-SH2-SH3 adaptor Grb2 is another activator of N-WASp that stimulates actin polymerization by increasing the amount of N-WASp. Arp2/3 complex. The concentration dependence of N-WASp activity, sedimentation velocity and cross-linking experiments together suggest that N-WASp is subject to self-association, and Grb2 enhances N-WASp activity by binding preferentially to its active monomeric form. Use of peptide inhibitors, mutated Grb2, and isolated SH3 domains demonstrate that the effect of Grb2 is mediated by the interaction of its C-terminal SH3 domain with the proline-rich region of N-WASp. Cdc42 and Grb2 bind simultaneously to N-WASp and enhance actin polymerization synergistically. Grb2 shortens the delay preceding the onset of Escherichia coli (IcsA) actin-based reconstituted movement. These results suggest that Grb2 may activate Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization downstream from the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed2001

Identification of another actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex binding site in neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) that complements actin polymerization induced by the Arp2/3 complex activating (VCA) domain of N-WASP.

Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) is an essential regulator of actin cytoskeleton formation via its association with the actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex. It is believed that the C-terminal Arp2/3 complex-activating domain (verprolin homology, cofilin homology, and acidic (VCA) or C-terminal region of WASP family proteins domain) of N-WASP is usually kept masked (autoinhibition) but is opened upon cooperative binding of upstream regulators such as Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). However, the mechanisms of autoinhibition and association with Arp2/3 complex are still unclear. We focused on the acidic region of N-WASP because it is thought to interact with Arp2/3 complex and may be involved in autoinhibition. Partial deletion of acidic residues from the VCA portion alone greatly reduced actin polymerization activity, demonstrating that the acidic region contributes to Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization. Surprisingly, the same partial deletion of the acidic region in full-length N-WASP led to constitutive activity comparable with the activity seen with the VCA portion. Therefore, the acidic region in full-length N-WASP plays an indispensable role in the formation of the autoinhibited structure. This mutant contains WASP-homology (WH) 1 domain with weak affinity to the Arp2/3 complex, leading to activity in the absence of part of the acidic region. Furthermore, the actin comet formed by the DeltaWH1 mutant of N-WASP was much smaller than that of wild-type N-WASP. Partial deletion of acidic residues did not affect actin comet size, indicating the importance of the WH1 domain in actin structure formation. Collectively, the acidic region of N-WASP plays an essential role in Arp2/3 complex activation as well as in the formation of the autoinhibited structure, whereas the WH1 domain complements the activation of the Arp2/3 complex achieved through the VCA portion.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed2003

Sequential interaction of actin-related proteins 2 and 3 (Arp2/3) complex with neural Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and cortactin during branched actin filament network formation.

The WASP and cortactin families constitute two distinct classes of Arp2/3 modulators in mammalian cells. Physical and functional interactions among the Arp2/3 complex, VCA (a functional domain of N-WASP), and cortactin were examined under conditions that were with or without actin polymerization. In the absence of actin, cortactin binds significantly weaker to the Arp2/3 complex than VCA. At concentrations of VCA 20-fold lower than cortactin, the association of cortactin with the Arp2/3 complex was nearly abolished. Analysis of the cells infected with Shigella demonstrated that N-WASP located at the tip of the bacterium, whereas cortactin accumulated in the comet tail. Interestingly, cortactin promotes Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization and actin branching in the presence of VCA at a saturating concentration, and cortactin acquired 20 nm affinity for the Arp2/3 complex during actin polymerization. The interaction of VCA with the Arp2/3 complex was reduced in the presence of both cortactin and actin. Moreover, VCA reduced its affinity for Arp2/3 complex at branching sites that were stabilized by phalloidin. These data imply a novel mechanism for the de novo assembly of a branched actin network that involves a coordinated sequential interaction of N-WASP and cortactin with the Arp2/3 complex.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed1994

Ultrastructural analysis of the dynactin complex: an actin-related protein is a component of a filament that resembles F-actin.

The dynactin complex visualized by deepetch electron microscopy appears as a short filament 37-nm in length, which resembles F-actin, plus a thinner, laterally oriented filament that terminates in two globular heads. The locations of several of the constituent polypeptides were identified on this structure by applying antibodies to decorate the dynactin complex before processing for electron microscopy. Antibodies to the actin-related protein Arp1 (previously referred to as actin-RPV), bound at various sites along the filament, demonstrating that this protein assembles in a polymer similar to conventional actin. Antibodies to the barbed-end actin-binding protein, capping protein, bound to one end of the filament. Thus, an actin-binding protein that binds conventional actin may also bind to Arp1 to regulate its polymerization. Antibodies to the 62-kD component of the dynactin complex also bound to one end of the filament. An antibody that binds the COOH-terminal region of the 160/150-kD dynactin polypeptides bound to the globular domains at the end of the thin lateral filament, suggesting that the dynactin polypeptide comprises at least part of the sidearm structure.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗