1
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Sun ZG, Yadav V, Amiri S, Cao W, De La Cruz EM, Murrell M. Cofilin-mediated actin filament network flexibility facilitates 2D to 3D actomyosin shape change. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151379. [PMID: 38168598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The organization of actin filaments (F-actin) into crosslinked networks determines the transmission of mechanical stresses within the cytoskeleton and subsequent changes in cell and tissue shape. Principally mediated by proteins such as α-actinin, F-actin crosslinking increases both network connectivity and rigidity, thereby facilitating stress transmission at low crosslinking yet attenuating transmission at high crosslinker concentration. Here, we engineer a two-dimensional model of the actomyosin cytoskeleton, in which myosin-induced mechanical stresses are controlled by light. We alter the extent of F-actin crosslinking by the introduction of oligomerized cofilin. At pH 6.5, F-actin severing by cofilin is weak, but cofilin bundles and crosslinks filaments. Given its effect of lowering the F-actin bending stiffness, cofilin- crosslinked networks are significantly more flexible and softer in bending than networks crosslinked by α-actinin. Thus, upon local activation of myosin-induced contractile stress, the network bends out-of-plane in contrast to the in-plane compression as observed with networks crosslinked by α-actinin. Here, we demonstrate that local effects on filament mechanics by cofilin introduces novel large-scale network material properties that enable the sculpting of complex shapes in the cell cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gao Sun
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Physics, Yale University, 217 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Vikrant Yadav
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Sorosh Amiri
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Wenxiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Enrique M De La Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Michael Murrell
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Physics, Yale University, 217 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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2
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Sexton JA, Potchernikov T, Bibeau JP, Casanova-Sepúlveda G, Cao W, Lou HJ, Boggon TJ, De La Cruz EM, Turk BE. Distinct functional constraints driving conservation of the cofilin N-terminal regulatory tail. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1426. [PMID: 38365893 PMCID: PMC10873347 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45878-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cofilin family proteins have essential roles in remodeling the cytoskeleton through filamentous actin depolymerization and severing. The short, unstructured N-terminal region of cofilin is critical for actin binding and harbors the major site of inhibitory phosphorylation. Atypically for a disordered sequence, the N-terminal region is highly conserved, but specific aspects driving this conservation are unclear. Here, we screen a library of 16,000 human cofilin N-terminal sequence variants for their capacity to support growth in S. cerevisiae in the presence or absence of the upstream regulator LIM kinase. Results from the screen and biochemical analysis of individual variants reveal distinct sequence requirements for actin binding and regulation by LIM kinase. LIM kinase recognition only partly explains sequence constraints on phosphoregulation, which are instead driven to a large extent by the capacity for phosphorylation to inactivate cofilin. We find loose sequence requirements for actin binding and phosphoinhibition, but collectively they restrict the N-terminus to sequences found in natural cofilins. Our results illustrate how a phosphorylation site can balance potentially competing sequence requirements for function and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel A Sexton
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Tony Potchernikov
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Bibeau
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | | | - Wenxiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Hua Jane Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Enrique M De La Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Benjamin E Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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3
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Okura K, Matsumoto T, Narita A, Tatsumi H. Mechanical Stress Decreases the Amplitude of Twisting and Bending Fluctuations of Actin Filaments. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168295. [PMID: 37783285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
A variety of biological roles of mechanical forces have been proposed in cell biology, such as cell signaling pathways for survival, development, growth, and differentiation. Mechanical forces alter the mechanical conditions within cells and their environment, which strongly influences the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Single-molecule imaging studies of actin filaments have led to the hypothesis that the actin filament acts as a mechanosensor; e.g., increases in actin filament tension alter their conformation and affinity for regulatory proteins. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying how tension modulates the mechanical behavior of a single actin filament is still incomplete. In this study, a direct measurement of the twisting and bending of a fluorescently labeled single actin filament under different tension levels by force application (0.8-3.4 pN) was performed using single-molecule fluorescence polarization (SMFP) microscopy. The results showed that the amplitude of twisting and bending fluctuations of a single actin filament decreased with increasing tension. Electron micrograph analysis of tensed filaments also revealed that the fluctuations in the crossover length of actin filaments decreased with increasing filament tension. Possible molecular mechanisms underlying these results involving the binding of actin-binding proteins, such as cofilin, to the filament are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Okura
- Department of Applied Bioscience, Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Matsumoto
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Sciences, Nagoya University, 464-8601 Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Narita
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Sciences, Nagoya University, 464-8601 Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Tatsumi
- Department of Applied Bioscience, Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Ishikawa, Japan.
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4
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Cao W, Taylor EW, De La Cruz EM. Cooperative ligand binding to a double-stranded Ising lattice-Application to cofilin binding to actin filaments. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad331. [PMID: 37885622 PMCID: PMC10599439 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Cooperative ligand binding to linear polymers is fundamental in many scientific disciplines, particularly biological and chemical physics and engineering. Such ligand binding interactions have been widely modeled using infinite one-dimensional (1D) Ising models even in cases where the linear polymers are more complex (e.g. actin filaments and other double-stranded linear polymers). Here, we use sequence-generating and transfer matrix methods to obtain an analytical method for cooperative equilibrium ligand binding to double-stranded Ising lattices. We use this exact solution to evaluate binding properties and features and analyze experimental binding data of cooperative binding of the regulatory protein, cofilin, to actin filaments. This analysis, with additional experimental information about the observed bound cofilin cluster sizes and filament structure, reveals that a bound cofilin promotes cooperative binding to its longitudinal nearest-neighbors but has very modest effects on lateral nearest-neighbors. The bound cofilin cluster sizes calculated from the best fit parameters from the double-stranded model are considerably larger than when calculated with the 1D model, consistent with experimental observations made by electron microscopy and fluorescence imaging. The exact solution obtained and the method for using the solution developed here can be widely used for analysis of variety of multistranded lattice systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Edwin W Taylor
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Enrique M De La Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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5
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Colson L, Kwon Y, Nam S, Bhandari A, Maya NM, Lu Y, Cho Y. Trends in Single-Molecule Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Imaging and Their Biological Applications with Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7691. [PMID: 37765748 PMCID: PMC10537725 DOI: 10.3390/s23187691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule imaging technologies, especially those based on fluorescence, have been developed to probe both the equilibrium and dynamic properties of biomolecules at the single-molecular and quantitative levels. In this review, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art advancements in single-molecule fluorescence imaging techniques. We systematically explore the advanced implementations of in vitro single-molecule imaging techniques using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, which is widely accessible. This includes discussions on sample preparation, passivation techniques, data collection and analysis, and biological applications. Furthermore, we delve into the compatibility of microfluidic technology for single-molecule fluorescence imaging, highlighting its potential benefits and challenges. Finally, we summarize the current challenges and prospects of fluorescence-based single-molecule imaging techniques, paving the way for further advancements in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Colson
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (L.C.); (A.B.); (N.M.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Youngeun Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin 17058, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (S.N.)
| | - Soobin Nam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin 17058, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (S.N.)
| | - Avinashi Bhandari
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (L.C.); (A.B.); (N.M.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Nolberto Martinez Maya
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (L.C.); (A.B.); (N.M.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (L.C.); (A.B.); (N.M.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yongmin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin 17058, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (S.N.)
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6
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Sexton JA, Potchernikov T, Bibeau JP, Casanova-Sepúlveda G, Cao W, Lou HJ, Boggon TJ, De La Cruz EM, Turk BE. Distinct functional constraints driving conservation of the cofilin N-terminal regulatory tail. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.30.547189. [PMID: 37425676 PMCID: PMC10327202 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.30.547189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Cofilin family proteins have essential roles in remodeling the cytoskeleton through filamentous actin depolymerization and severing. The short unstructured N-terminal region of cofilin is critical for actin binding and harbors the major site of inhibitory phosphorylation. Atypically for a disordered sequence, the N-terminal region is highly conserved, but the aspects of cofilin functionality driving this conservation are not clear. Here, we screened a library of 16,000 human cofilin N-terminal sequence variants for their capacity to support growth in S. cerevisiae in the presence or absence of the upstream regulator LIM kinase. Results from the screen and subsequent biochemical analysis of individual variants revealed distinct sequence requirements for actin binding and regulation by LIM kinase. While the presence of a serine, rather than threonine, phosphoacceptor residue was essential for phosphorylation by LIM kinase, the native cofilin N-terminus was otherwise a suboptimal LIM kinase substrate. This circumstance was not due to sequence requirements for actin binding and severing, but rather appeared primarily to maintain the capacity for phosphorylation to inactivate cofilin. Overall, the individual sequence requirements for cofilin function and regulation were remarkably loose when examined separately, but collectively restricted the N-terminus to sequences found in natural cofilins. Our results illustrate how a regulatory phosphorylation site can balance potentially competing sequence requirements for function and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel A. Sexton
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Tony Potchernikov
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Jeffrey P. Bibeau
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | | | - Wenxiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Hua Jane Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Titus J. Boggon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Enrique M. De La Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Benjamin E. Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
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7
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Abstract
Actin cytoskeleton force generation, sensing, and adaptation are dictated by the bending and twisting mechanics of filaments. Here, we use magnetic tweezers and microfluidics to twist and pull individual actin filaments and evaluate their response to applied loads. Twisted filaments bend and dissipate torsional strain by adopting a supercoiled plectoneme. Pulling prevents plectoneme formation, which causes twisted filaments to sever. Analysis over a range of twisting and pulling forces and direct visualization of filament and single subunit twisting fluctuations yield an actin filament torsional persistence length of ~10 µm, similar to the bending persistence length. Filament severing by cofilin is driven by local twist strain at boundaries between bare and decorated segments and is accelerated by low pN pulling forces. This work explains how contractile forces generated by myosin motors accelerate filament severing by cofilin and establishes a role for filament twisting in the regulation of actin filament stability and assembly dynamics.
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8
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Jaswandkar SV, Katti KS, Katti DR. Molecular and structural basis of actin filament severing by ADF/cofilin. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4157-4171. [PMID: 36016710 PMCID: PMC9379983 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ADF/cofilin’s cooperative binding to actin filament modifies the conformation and alignment of G-actin subunits locally, causing the filament to sever at “boundaries” formed among bare and ADF/cofilin-occupied regions. Analysis of the impact of the ADF/cofilin cluster boundary on the deformation behavior of actin filaments in a mechanically strained environment is critical for understanding the biophysics of their severing. The present investigation uses molecular dynamics simulations to generate atomic resolution models of bare, partially, and fully cofilin decorated actin filaments. Steered molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to determine the mechanical properties of three filament models when subjected to axial stretching, axial compression, and bending forces. We highlight differences in strain distribution, failure mechanisms in the three filament models, and biomechanical effects of cofilin cluster boundaries in overall filament rupture. Based on the influence of ADF/cofilin binding on intrastrand and interstrand G-actin interfaces, the cofilin-mediated actin filament severing model proposed here can help understand cofilin mediated actin dynamics.
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9
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Abstract
Eukaryotic cells contain branched actin networks that are essential for endocytosis, motility, and other key cellular processes. These networks, which are formed by filamentous actin and the Arp2/3 complex, must subsequently be debranched to allow network remodeling and to recycle the Arp2/3 complex. Debranching appears to be catalyzed by two different members of the actin depolymerizing factor homology protein family: cofilin and glial maturation factor (GMF). However, their mechanisms of debranching are only partially understood. Here, we used single-molecule fluorescence imaging of Arp2/3 complex and actin filaments under physiological ionic conditions to observe debranching by GMF and cofilin. We demonstrate that cofilin, like GMF, is an authentic debrancher independent of its filament-severing activity and that the debranching activities of the two proteins are additive. While GMF binds directly to the Arp2/3 complex, cofilin selectively accumulates on branch-junction daughter filaments in tropomyosin-decorated networks just prior to debranching events. Quantitative comparison of debranching rates with the known kinetics of cofilin-actin binding suggests that cofilin occupancy of a particular single actin site at the branch junction is sufficient to trigger debranching. In rare cases in which the order of departure could be resolved during GMF- or cofilin-induced debranching, the Arp2/3 complex left the branch junction bound to the pointed end of the daughter filament, suggesting that both GMF and cofilin can work by destabilizing the mother filament-Arp2/3 complex interface. Taken together, these observations suggest that GMF and cofilin promote debranching by distinct yet complementary mechanisms.
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10
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Sun X, Alushin GM. Cellular force-sensing through actin filaments. FEBS J 2022; 290:2576-2589. [PMID: 35778931 PMCID: PMC9945651 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton orchestrates cell mechanics and facilitates the physical integration of cells into tissues, while tissue-scale forces and extracellular rigidity in turn govern cell behaviour. Here, we discuss recent evidence that actin filaments (F-actin), the core building blocks of the actin cytoskeleton, also serve as molecular force sensors. We delineate two classes of proteins, which interpret forces applied to F-actin through enhanced binding interactions: 'mechanically tuned' canonical actin-binding proteins, whose constitutive F-actin affinity is increased by force, and 'mechanically switched' proteins, which bind F-actin only in the presence of force. We speculate mechanically tuned and mechanically switched actin-binding proteins are biophysically suitable for coordinating cytoskeletal force-feedback and mechanical signalling processes, respectively. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms mediating force-activated actin binding, which likely occurs both through the structural remodelling of F-actin itself and geometric rearrangements of higher-order actin networks. Understanding the interplay of these mechanisms will enable the dissection of force-activated actin binding's specific biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Sun
- Laboratory of Structural Biophysics and Mechanobiology, The Rockefeller University. New York, NY, USA.,Correspondence: ;
| | - Gregory M. Alushin
- Laboratory of Structural Biophysics and Mechanobiology, The Rockefeller University. New York, NY, USA.,Correspondence: ;
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11
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Gautreau AM, Fregoso FE, Simanov G, Dominguez R. Nucleation, stabilization, and disassembly of branched actin networks. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:421-432. [PMID: 34836783 PMCID: PMC9018471 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Arp2/3 complex is an actin filament nucleation and branching machinery conserved in all eukaryotes from yeast to human. Arp2/3 complex branched networks generate pushing forces that drive cellular processes ranging from membrane remodeling to cell and organelle motility. Several molecules regulate these processes by directly inhibiting or activating Arp2/3 complex and by stabilizing or disassembling branched networks. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of Arp2/3 complex regulation, including high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures that illuminate the mechanisms of Arp2/3 complex activation and branch formation, and novel cellular pathways of branch formation, stabilization, and debranching. We also identify major gaps in our understanding of Arp2/3 complex inhibition and branch stabilization and disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M Gautreau
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule, CNRS, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France.
| | - Fred E Fregoso
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gleb Simanov
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule, CNRS, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Roberto Dominguez
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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12
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Rutkowski DM, Vavylonis D. Discrete mechanical model of lamellipodial actin network implements molecular clutch mechanism and generates arcs and microspikes. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009506. [PMID: 34662335 PMCID: PMC8553091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces, actin filament turnover, and adhesion to the extracellular environment regulate lamellipodial protrusions. Computational and mathematical models at the continuum level have been used to investigate the molecular clutch mechanism, calculating the stress profile through the lamellipodium and around focal adhesions. However, the forces and deformations of individual actin filaments have not been considered while interactions between actin networks and actin bundles is not easily accounted with such methods. We develop a filament-level model of a lamellipodial actin network undergoing retrograde flow using 3D Brownian dynamics. Retrograde flow is promoted in simulations by pushing forces from the leading edge (due to actin polymerization), pulling forces (due to molecular motors), and opposed by viscous drag in cytoplasm and focal adhesions. Simulated networks have densities similar to measurements in prior electron micrographs. Connectivity between individual actin segments is maintained by permanent and dynamic crosslinkers. Remodeling of the network occurs via the addition of single actin filaments near the leading edge and via filament bond severing. We investigated how several parameters affect the stress distribution, network deformation and retrograde flow speed. The model captures the decrease in retrograde flow upon increase of focal adhesion strength. The stress profile changes from compression to extension across the leading edge, with regions of filament bending around focal adhesions. The model reproduces the observed reduction in retrograde flow speed upon exposure to cytochalasin D, which halts actin polymerization. Changes in crosslinker concentration and dynamics, as well as in the orientation pattern of newly added filaments demonstrate the model's ability to generate bundles of filaments perpendicular (actin arcs) or parallel (microspikes) to the protruding direction.
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13
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Devitt CC, Lee C, Cox RM, Papoulas O, Alvarado J, Shekhar S, Marcotte EM, Wallingford JB. Twinfilin1 controls lamellipodial protrusive activity and actin turnover during vertebrate gastrulation. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs254011. [PMID: 34060614 PMCID: PMC8325956 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.254011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic control of the actin cytoskeleton is a key aspect of essentially all animal cell movements. Experiments in single migrating cells and in vitro systems have provided an exceptionally deep understanding of actin dynamics. However, we still know relatively little of how these systems are tuned in cell-type-specific ways, for example in the context of collective cell movements that sculpt the early embryo. Here, we provide an analysis of the actin-severing and depolymerization machinery during vertebrate gastrulation, with a focus on Twinfilin1 (Twf1) in Xenopus. We find that Twf1 is essential for convergent extension, and loss of Twf1 results in a disruption of lamellipodial dynamics and polarity. Moreover, Twf1 loss results in a failure to assemble polarized cytoplasmic actin cables, which are essential for convergent extension. These data provide an in vivo complement to our more-extensive understanding of Twf1 action in vitro and provide new links between the core machinery of actin regulation and the specialized cell behaviors of embryonic morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin C. Devitt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Chanjae Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Rachael M. Cox
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ophelia Papoulas
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - José Alvarado
- Department of Physics, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Shashank Shekhar
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Edward M. Marcotte
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - John B. Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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14
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Hocky GM, Sindelar CV, Cao W, Voth GA, De La Cruz EM. Structural basis of fast- and slow-severing actin-cofilactin boundaries. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100337. [PMID: 33508320 PMCID: PMC7961102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the ADF/cofilin family of regulatory proteins bind actin filaments cooperatively, locally change actin subunit conformation and orientation, and sever filaments at "boundaries" between bare and cofilin-occupied segments. A cluster of bound cofilin introduces two distinct classes of boundaries due to the intrinsic polarity of actin filaments, one at the "pointed" end side and the other at the "barbed" end-side of the cluster; severing occurs more readily at the pointed end side of the cluster ("fast-severing" boundary) than the barbed end side ("slow-severing" boundary). A recent electron-cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) model of the slow-severing boundary revealed structural "defects" at the interface that potentially contribute to severing. However, the structure of the fast-severing boundary remains uncertain. Here, we use extensive molecular dynamics simulations to produce atomic resolution models of both severing boundaries. Our equilibrated simulation model of the slow-severing boundary is consistent with the cryo-EM structural model. Simulations indicate that actin subunits at both boundaries adopt structures intermediate between those of bare and cofilin-bound actin subunits. These "intermediate" states have compromised intersubunit contacts, but those at the slow-severing boundary are stabilized by cofilin bridging interactions, accounting for its lower fragmentation probability. Simulations where cofilin proteins are removed from cofilactin filaments favor a mechanism in which a cluster of two contiguously bound cofilins is needed to fully stabilize the cofilactin conformation, promote cooperative binding interactions, and accelerate filament severing. Together, these studies provide a molecular-scale foundation for developing coarse-grained and theoretical descriptions of cofilin-mediated actin filament severing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen M Hocky
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Charles V Sindelar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Wenxiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gregory A Voth
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Enrique M De La Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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