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  • Analysis of the local organization and dynamics of cellular actin networks.

Analysis of the local organization and dynamics of cellular actin networks.

The Journal of cell biology (2013-10-02)
Weiwei Luo, Cheng-han Yu, Zi Zhao Lieu, Jun Allard, Alex Mogilner, Michael P Sheetz, Alexander D Bershadsky
ABSTRACT

Actin filaments, with the aid of multiple accessory proteins, self-assemble into a variety of network patterns. We studied the organization and dynamics of the actin network in nonadhesive regions of cells bridging fibronectin-coated adhesive strips. The network was formed by actin nodes associated with and linked by myosin II and containing the formin disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1) and the cross-linker filamin A (FlnA). After Latrunculin A (LatA) addition, actin nodes appeared to be more prominent and demonstrated drift-diffusion motion. Superresolution microscopy revealed that, in untreated cells, DAAM1 formed patches with a similar spatial arrangement to the actin nodes. Node movement (diffusion coefficient and velocity) in LatA-treated cells was dependent on the level and activity of myosin IIA, DAAM1, and FlnA. Based on our results, we developed a computational model of the dynamic formin-filamin-actin asters that can self-organize into a contractile actomyosin network. We suggest that such networks are critical for connecting distant parts of the cell to maintain the mechanical coherence of the cytoplasm.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-α-Tubulin antibody, Mouse monoclonal, clone DM1A, purified from hybridoma cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Filamin A antibody produced in rabbit, affinity isolated antibody