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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Villin: the major microfilament-associated protein of the intestinal microvillus.

The major protein associated with actin in the microfilament core of intestinal microvilli has been purified. This protein, for which we propose the name villin, has a polypeptide molecular weight of approximately 95,000. Two arguments suggest that villin may be the microvillus crossfilament protein that links the microfilament core laterally down its length to the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. First, electron microscopy shows that crossfilaments stay attached to isolated membrane-free microvillus cores. Calculation of the expected abundance of the crossfilament protein shows that only villin is present in sufficient quantity to account for these structures. Second, decoration of microvillus cores by antibodies to either actin or villin, followed by ferritin-labeled second antibody in a sandwich procedure, results in specific labeling of the cores in both cases. The antivillin decoration, however, gives rise to a greater increase in diameter, in agreement with a model in which villin projects from the F-actin microfilament core. Villin is distinct from alpha-actinin, a protein suggested to be involved in membrane anchorage of microfilaments in nonmuscle cells. The two proteins differ in molecular weight. Specific antibodies against villin and alpha-actinin show no immunological crossreactivity. Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that villin is located in the microvilli of the brush border whereas alpha-actinin is absent from the microvilli but is found in the terminal web. In addition, villin is not found in microfilament bundles of tissue culture cells, which are rich in alpha-actinin. Thus, villin and alpha-actinin appear to be immunologically and functionally different proteins.

Actinin↗
PubMed1978

Localization of actin and microfilament-associated proteins in the microvilli and terminal web of the intestinal brush border by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was used to localize microfilament-associated proteins in the brush border of mouse intestinal epithelial cells. As expected, antibodies to actin decorated the microfilaments of the microvilli, giving rise to a very intense fluorescence. By contrast, antibodies to myosin, tropomyosin, filamin, and alpha-actinin did not decorate the microvilli. All these antibodies, however, decorated the terminal web region of the brush border. Myosin, tropomyosin, and alpha-actinin, although present throughout the terminal web, were found to be preferentially located around the periphery of the organelle. Therefore, two classes of microfilamentous structures can be documented in the brush border. First, the highly ordered microfilaments which make up the cores of the microvilli apparently lack the associated proteins. Second, seemingly less-ordered microfilaments are found in the terminal web, in which region the myosin, tropomyosin, filamin and alpha-actinin are located.

Actinin↗
PubMed1979

Microfilament-associated proteins in tissue culture cells viewed by stereo immunofluorescence microscopy.

Stereo immunofluorescence microscopy avoids the problem of juxtaposition of structures often encountered in normal fluorescence microscopy. The procedure has been used in conjunction with antibodies against microfilament associated proteins to reveal the arrangement of microfilaments in a rat mammary cell line both in the fully spread state and in cells during the process of spreading on the substratum. use of antibodies to myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin and filamin emphasizes that at early times during the spreading process these proteins are abundantly present underneath the upper plasma membrane, suggesting that the cortical layer present underneath this membrane may be contractile. In addition the results emphasize that even in well spread cells microfilament bundles are expressed both above and below the nucleus, in agreement with the assumption that microfilaments may form a supporting layer underneath the plasma membrane.

Actinin↗
PubMed1978

Microfilament bundles, LETS protein and growth control in somatic cell hybrids.

Hybrid cell lines between normal rat embryo fibroblasts and TA3B mouse tumour cells, or between TA3B and BI hamster sarcoma cells, have been examined for the expression of the cell surface large external-transformation-sensitive (LETS) protein and the organization of microfilament bundles. LETS protein was detected by lactoperoxidase-catalysed radioiodination and microfilament bundles were visualized by indirect immunofluorescence with antibodies directed against actin or myosin. Hybrids which exhibited normal growth control characteristics had high levels of LETS protein and extensive microfilament bundles. Neoplastic transformation appears to be suppressed in these hybrids. Hybrids which had the growth control characteristics typical of transformed cells had reduced or zero levels of LETS protein and few microfilament bundles. These results confirm previous studies on the expression of the transformed phenotype in these hybrids and demonstrate that there is a good correlation between normal growth control and the presence of LETS protein and microfilament bundles. However, the changes in cell surface LETS protein and in the organization of microfilament bundles often appeared to be quantitative reductions rather than all-or-none effects. The magnitude of the alterations in the levels of LETS protein and in the organization of microfilaments appeared to correlate with the range of transformed characteristics exhibited by the cells. One transformed hybrid in particular, selected for growth in agar, had some surface LETS protein, some microfilament bundles and retained density-dependent inhibition of growth.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed2025

LIMA1 inhibits cisplatin resistance and malignant biological behavior of bladder cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of LIM domain and actin binding 1 (LIMA1) on bladder cancer (BCa) cells and to investigate its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The expression of LIMA1 gene in clinical BCa tissue samples and BCa cell models was detected using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Subsequently, LIMA1 knockdown experiments were performed exclusively in the BCa J82 cell line, while LIMA1 overexpression was conducted only in the cisplatin-resistant J82/CR cell line. The proliferation of the cells was assessed by colony formation assay. Cisplatin resistance was evaluated by MTT assay. Migration and invasion of the cells were tested by Transwell assay. Additionally, the levels of key proteins in the Wnt/&#x3b2;-catenin signaling pathway were examined by western blotting. RESULTS: We found that LIMA1 was underexpressed in BCa tissues and cells (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01). Overexpression of LIMA1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of BCa cells (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01) and improved their cisplatin resistance (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01), whereas knocking down LIMA1 produced opposite results (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01). Furthermore, overexpression of LIMA1 could suppress the Wnt/&#x3b2;-catenin signaling pathway in BCa cells (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01), and activation of this pathway partially reversed the anti-tumor effects produced by overexpression of LIMA1 (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01). CONCLUSION: LIMA1 could inhibit the malignant biological behavior of BCa cells and weaken their cisplatin resistance by negatively regulating the Wnt/&#x3b2;-catenin signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights for the clinical treatment of BCa.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Localization and organization of microfilaments and related proteins in normal and virus-transformed cells.

The localization and organization of actin-like microfilaments in normal, SV-40 and adenovirus transformed cells are determined by the coordinated use of light optical, electron optical and biochemical techniques. In adenovirus-type 5 transformed hamster embryo cells, microfilament meshworks appear to be the predominant organizational form of cellular action, while in normal hamster cells, microfilament bundles are prevalent. Differences between 3T3 and SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells are less apparent and may be related to the packing and intracellular distribution of microfilament bundles. Attempts at relating these ultrastructural changes in transformed cells to the images obtained following reaction with fluorescein-labelled myosin fragments and indirect immunofluorescence with smooth muscle myosin antibody are discussed. In several instances the fluorescence microscope images to not correspond to the ultrastructural observations. The results are discussed in terms of the possible relationships between alterations in cytoplasmic contractile elements and the abnormal behavior of transformed cells.

Actins↗
PubMed1978

Mechanisms of corticotropin action in rat adrenal cells. I. The effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis and of microfilament formation on corticosterone synthesis.

The contributions of protein synthesis and formation of microtubules and microfilaments to corticotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat adrenal cell suspensions has been assessed by use of a series of inhibitors to each function. Five inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide, puromycin, blastocidin S, anisomycin, and trichodermin) each exhibited time-dependent inhibition of corticotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis. For the first 30 min, steroidogenesis was more extensively inhibited than protein synthesis, after which the effectiveness of the inhibitors diminished on steroidogenesis but not on protein synthesis. The reversal effect was not observed at high levels of inhibitors. One inhibitor of microfilament formation (cytochalasin B) and four inhibitors of microtubule formation (colchicine, podophyllotoxin, vinblastine sulfate and griseofulvin) inhibited steroidogenesis without inhibiting protein synthesis and without any reversal effect with prolonged incubation. The actions of all ten inhibitors were shown to be fully reversible. Cell superfusion of adrenal cells showed that the decay of steroidogenesis upon addition of all the protein synthesis inhibitors was similar to decay upon removal of corticotropin from the medium (t1/2 = 4--6 min). Recoveries from inhibition upon removal of the inhibitors were similar to each other and comparable to initial corticotropin stimulation of the cells (lag of 3--5 min, t1/2=7--9 min). Similar kinetics of inhibition and recovery were observed for vinblastine sulfate while a direct inhibition of cytochrome P-450scc by aminoglutethimide was complete within 1 min and was rapidly reversed. Injection of each inhibitor (all classes) into hypophysectomized rats inhibited the elevation of plasma corticosterone by corticotropin. The extent of cholesterol combination with cytochrome P-450scc in adrenal mitochondria isolated from these rats was also decreased by all of the inhibitors. Decreases in plasma corticosterone correlated directly with decreases in cholesterol combination with cytochrome P-450scc (r=0.94). It is concluded that protein synthesis and steroidogenesis must be intimately coupled probably due to the requirement of a labile protein for cholesterol transport to cytochrome P-450scc. An involvement of microtubules and microfilaments in this process is clearly indicated.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed2026

The role of SYNE1/2 variants as a potential predisposition factor for the onset of endometriosis.

Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic, inflammatory gynaecological disorder defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, most frequently affecting the ovaries, peritoneum, and uterosacral ligaments. Despite its prevalence and the significant impact on life quality, EM is often underdiagnosed, with an average delay of about nine years, particularly affecting adolescents and young women. The complex aetiology involves genetic, environmental, and immune factors, with whole-exome sequencing (WES) emerging as a potential tool for identifying relevant genetic variants. Research indicates that innate immune dysfunction, mechanotransduction, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition promote endometrial cell migration and lesion formation, processes regulated by nuclear envelope integrity and cytoskeletal dynamics. The LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, specifically Nesprin-1 and Nesprin-2, encoded by SYNE1 and SYNE2, is crucial for these processes. Genome-wide studies have linked SYNE genes to EM risk, showing downregulation in affected patients, and rare variants in these genes have been identified, though their functional implications are still unclear. To this purpose, WES was performed on 204 EM patients to identify rare (MAF <0.1%), damaging variants in SYNE1/2. Primary endometriotic cells (EMCs) were isolated from ovarian lesions of variant carriers (n=4) and wild-type (WT) non-carrier controls (n=4). Functional characterization included somatic WES, RT-qPCR, Western blot, confocal immunofluorescence, and Transwell migration assays. WES identified 11 rare, likely damaging SYNE1/2 variants in 12 patients. Immunofluorescence revealed a distinct protein mislocalization, WT EMCs displayed physiological Nesprin-2 confinement at the nuclear envelope, whereas variant carriers exhibited a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution polarized along actin stress fibres. We demonstrated that SYNE1/2 mutated EMCs had a markedly higher migratory capacity compared to WT controls. Here, in vitro experiments demonstrated, for the first time, the involvement of Nesprin-2 in endometrial cell migration, supporting a mechanistic link between nuclear-cytoskeletal disruption and the invasive phenotype of endometriotic cells (EMCs). These findings provide new insights into EM pathogenesis and highlight SYNE2 as a promising molecular marker for improved diagnosis and disease management.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

The functional study of novel KLHL3 missense mutations associated with pseudohypoaldosteronism type II.

BACKGROUND: Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHA II) is an inherited tubulopathy, clinically defined by three hallmark features, including secondary hypertension, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and persistent hyperkalemia occurring despite maintained glomerular filtration function. Herein, we aim to investigate the association of kelch like family member 3 (KLHL3) gene mutations with PHA II. METHODS: Compound heterozygous KLHL3 mutations were identified through whole-exome sequencing and Sanger validation. AlphaFold-based structural modeling, site-directed mutagenesis of Flag-tagged plasmids, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP)/immunoblotting in vivo were combined to analyze mutant protein interactions and ubiquitination effects. RESULTS: A Chinese patient was identified with two previously unreported KLHL3 variants (c.131G&#x2009;>&#x2009;A [p.R44Q] and c.744&#xa0;C&#x2009;>&#x2009;G [p.Y248*]), exhibiting a biochemical triad of asymptomatic hyperkalemia, mild metabolic acidosis, and borderline hypertension. Administration of thiazide diuretics effectively normalized the patient&#x2019;s hyperkalemia and hypertension. A p.R44Q missense mutation predicted as variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, and a p.Y248* nonsense mutation predicted as variants of likely pathogenic. Functional study revealed that the two KLHL3 mutations impair its ubiquitination of with-no-lysine kinase 1 (WNK1) and with-no-lysine kinase 4 (WNK4), and further increase phosphorylation of both SPAK (sterile20/sporulation-specific protein-1 related proline/alanine-rich kinase)/OSR1 (oxidative stress response kinase-1) and Na-Cl-cotransporter (NCC). CONCLUSIONS: Our study characterized two previously unreported KLHL3 mutations, followed by comprehensive in vitro functional analyses to elucidate their pathophysiological contributions at the molecular level.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Biallelic pathogenic variants in FLNB are associated with paediatric steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome via podocyte cytoskeletal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a severe paediatric kidney disease and a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in children, with a high genetic contribution. While over 80 monogenic causes of SRNS have been identified, a significant proportion of affected patients still lack a clear genetic diagnosis, indicating that additional causative genes remain to be discovered. METHODS: Through whole-exome sequencing of a paediatric SRNS cohort, we identified three probands carrying biallelic FLNB pathogenic variants. Sanger sequencing was performed for familial cosegregation verification and ACMG classification. Expression of Filamin B, Nephrin and Synaptopodin in renal tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence. Wild-type and patient-derived variant FLNB plasmids were constructed and transfected into HEK293T cells and immortalised human podocytes (HPCs). The effects of these variants on protein expression, localisation and cytoskeletal organisation were assessed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. FLNB expression in HPCs was silenced using shRNA to evaluate the impact on podocyte marker proteins, cytoskeletal integrity and migratory capacity. A zebrafish flnb knockdown model was employed to validate its effects on renal development. RESULTS: All three probands presented with isolated SRNS without skeletal developmental abnormalities, and renal tissues showed significantly reduced Filamin B protein expression. In vitro, p.L117P and p.M1803L variants led to markedly reduced protein expression, while p.R470L and p.K2586R induced perinuclear aggregation of Filamin B accompanied by F-actin rearrangement. FLNB silencing led to downregulation of Nephrin and Synaptopodin, cytoskeletal disorganisation and impaired cell migration. Zebrafish flnb knockdown exhibited pericardial oedema, defective nephron development and abnormal podocyte foot processes. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time that biallelic FLNB pathogenic variants are associated with paediatric SRNS by disrupting Filamin B expression, cytoskeletal integrity and podocyte function, providing evidence that FLNB is a novel monogenic cause of SRNS.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

AFL1 is a phosphoinositide phosphate- and actin-binding protein.

At14a-Like 1 (AFL1) is highly induced during low water potential stress and remains at high levels during stress acclimation. AFL1, and the closely related At14a, are plant-specific proteins that have limited similarity to mammalian actin- and membrane-associated proteins. Previous research indicated that manipulation of AFL1 expression affects actin cytoskeleton dynamics and endocytic trafficking (as measured by uptake of membrane dye FM4-64). However, it has remained unclear whether this is a direct activity of AFL1 or an indirect effect. We found that AFL1 specifically bound actin filaments as well as the phosphoinositide phosphates (PIPs) phosphoinositide-3-monophosphate [PI(3)P], PI(5)P, and the diphosphate PI(3,5)P2 in co-sedimentation and PIP strip membrane assays, respectively. Interestingly, these binding activities were mediated by the same site within the C-terminal domain of AFL1. Mutation of a single amino acid in the AFL1 C-terminal domain was sufficient to disrupt both actin filament and PIP binding in vitro and to disrupt accumulation of the mutated protein in transgenic plants. We also found that the central hydrophobic region of AFL1 was required for AFL1 co-localization with actin filaments and plasma membrane. Mutation of AFL1 and At14a using genome editing confirmed that loss of these proteins reduced growth during low water potential stress and resulted in less extensive actin filament arrays and disrupted FM4-64 uptake. Together these observations indicate that AFL1 can directly participate in cytoskeleton organization and membrane dynamics via PIP and actin filament binding.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2026

Genetic regulation of AIF1 shapes immune and liver injury profiles in chronic alcohol use.

BACKGROUNDIn chronic alcohol consumers, immune cells may drive the progression from mild liver injury to more severe alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), including alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH) and cancer. Liver macrophages, both resident and infiltrating, express allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1), which is upregulated during inflammation and enhances immune activation.METHODSUsing serum and urine samples from 868 individuals classified as having alcohol use disorder or not, based on DSM-IV/V criteria, along with serum and liver biopsy tissue from a second cohort of 27 patients diagnosed with AAH, we evaluated the impact of the AIF1 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs3132451; C/C, C/G, G/G) on liver function markers and immune cell profiles.RESULTSAIF1 transcript levels were genotype dependent: C/C homozygotes expressed 5.2% of the levels observed in G/G individuals, while C/G heterozygotes expressed 46%. Unlike most SNPs associated with harmful effects, the G/G genotype is highly prevalent, present in about 70% of patients. Among chronic alcohol users, G/G individuals exhibited elevated markers of liver injury and a more than 3-fold increase in hepatic immune cells, including infiltrating AIF1+ macrophages and neutrophils. Despite similar durations of alcohol misuse, G/G individuals had higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores compared with C/G individuals, indicating a significantly greater 90-day mortality risk. Notably, some immune abnormalities, such as elevated neutrophils, persisted in G/G males even after alcohol abstinence.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that functional genetic variation in AIF1 may contribute to the severity and persistence of ALD.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT02231840.FUNDINGResearch support was provided from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the NIH under grants 1ZIAAA000440-02 and R24AA025017.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

A role for VASP in RhoA-Diaphanous signalling to actin dynamics and SRF activity.

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is involved in multiple actin-mediated processes, including regulation of serum response factor (SRF) activity. We used the SRF transcriptional assay to define functional domains in VASP and to show that they coincide with those required for F-actin accumulation, as determined by a quantitative FACS assay. We identified inactive VASP mutants that can interfere both with F-actin assembly and with SRF activation by wild-type VASP. These VASP mutants also inhibit actin-based motility of Vaccinia virus and Shigella flexneri. VASP-induced F-actin accumulation and SRF activation require both functional Rho and its effector mDia, and conversely, mDia-mediated SRF activation is critically dependent on functional VASP. VASP and mDia also associate physically in vivo. These findings show that VASP and mDia function cooperatively downstream of Rho to control F-actin assembly and SRF activity.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1979

Cell-to-substratum contacts in living cells: a direct correlation between interference-reflexion and indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies against actin and alpha-actinin.

Rat mammary cells growing on glass coverslips were photographed first using interference-reflexion microscopy and then after processing for indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies to actin or to alpha-actinin. A comparison of the images of the same cell given by the 2 microscopical procedures indicates that the focal contacts between the cell and the substratum correspond to distal ends of microfilament bundles, and the these bundles are only in limited areas close to the substratum. The focal contracts are rich in alpha-actinin which has been proposed as a membrane-anchorage protein for microfilament bundles. Use of stereo immunofluorescence microscopy allows a direct comparison between the interference-reflexion image, and the underside of the cell after staining with antibodies to actin or alpha-actinin.

Actinin↗
PubMed1977

alpha-Actinin and tropomyosin interactions with a hybrid complex of erythrocyte-actin and muscle-myosin.

alpha-Actinin isolated from dog muscle was used to incite antibodies in rabbits, Antibodies, purified by affinity chromatography on CNBr-Sepharose coupled with alpha-actinin and then ferritin-labeled were found to localize on the Z disc of muscle sarcomeres. Molecules of alpha-actinin as an adsorbed monolayer on the surface of polystyrene Lytron particles could bind muscle-actin and tropomyosin from solution. Both the ATPase activity and superprecipitation of an erythrocyte-actin and muscle-myosin hybrid actomyosin complex were altered by alpha-actinin, while tropomyosin diminished these alpha-actinin effects. The binding properties of alpha-actinin are consistent with those of an anchoring protein for microfilaments in nonmuscle cells.

Actinin↗