Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bojian Ding, Heidy Y. Narvaez-Ortiz, Yuvraj Singh, Glen M. Hocky, Saikat Chowdhury, Brad J. Nolen
Summary: Arp2/3 complex nucleates branched actin filaments and provides pushing forces for cellular processes. This study reveals the contacts between Arp2/3 complex and the mother actin filament, suggesting that actin filaments stimulate subunit flattening for complex activation. However, limited contact between the bottom half of the complex and the mother filament may explain why actin filaments are required but insufficient to trigger nucleation during WASP-mediated activation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Z. Chou, Moon Chatterjee, Thomas D. Pollard
Summary: By analyzing the images collected by electron cryo-microscopy, we reconstructed the structure of actin filament branch junctions formed by fission yeast Arp2/3 complex. The formation of this structure requires a conformational change of the Arp2/3 complex and the acquisition of a new buried surface area to maintain the stability of the branch.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lin Mei, Matthew J. Reynolds, Damien Garbett, Rui Gong, Tobias Meyer, Gregory M. Alushin
Summary: This study focuses on the role of T-plastin in constructing actin networks. By using a machine-learning-enabled cryo-electron microscopy technique, the researchers uncover a sequential bundling mechanism that allows T-plastin to bridge and link parallel and antiparallel actin filaments. This bridging mechanism is essential for adapting to different actin network structures and functions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shintaroh Kubo, Shun Kai Yang, Corbin S. Black, Daniel Dai, Melissa Valente-Paterno, Jacek Gaertig, Muneyoshi Ichikawa, Khanh Huy Bui
Summary: Cilia are thin microtubule-based protrusions found in eukaryotic cells, responsible for propelling the movement of ciliated protists and sperm cells, as well as facilitating mucus flow in the trachea to protect the human body from viral infections. The main force generators of ciliary beating are the outer dynein arms (ODAs), which attach to the doublet microtubules and induce bending through conformational changes driven by ATP hydrolysis. The structure of the native ODA complex attached to the doublet microtubule has been revealed through cryo-electron microscopy, showing how the ODA complex is attached to the doublet microtubule via the docking complex in its native state, leading to remodeling and activation.
Review
Biology
John Gardiner
Summary: Life on Earth has evolved to adapt to a substantial gravitational field, so venturing into space requires a reevaluation of adaptability. Astronauts' physiological changes in space may be related to the cytoskeletal tensegrity architecture, affecting both physical and mental functions.
Review
Plant Sciences
Camila Goldy, Marie-Cecile Caillaud
Summary: Plants have developed cellular mechanisms to respond to signals by rearranging the cytoskeleton, regulated by phospholipids such as phosphatidic acid and phosphoinositides. This review focuses on the emerging role of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in regulating the peripheral cytoskeleton during cellular processes.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tibor Szenasi, Gabor Turu, Laszlo Hunyady
Summary: beta-arrestins, initially known for their role in desensitizing rhodopsin and other G protein-coupled receptors, interact with the cytoskeletal system, including microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments. They regulate the activity of microtubules by recruiting signaling proteins and interacting with assembly proteins that control the actin cytoskeleton and intermediate filaments. Dysregulation of the cytoskeletal system is implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Therefore, beta-arrestins are potential targets for future treatments of these diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Janet Y. Y. Sheung, Jonathan Garamella, Stella K. K. Kahl, Brian Y. Y. Lee, Ryan J. J. McGorty, Rae M. M. Robertson-Anderson
Summary: This study investigates the particle transport through the cytoskeleton and reveals multi-mode transport from subdiffusion to superdiffusion. The increase in actomyosin content enhances superdiffusion at longer timescales but also increases subdiffusion at shorter timescales and slows down transport. These findings shed important new light on the interplay between non-equilibrium processes, crowding, and heterogeneity in active cytoskeletal systems.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christian Dahlstroem, Themistoklis Paraschiakos, Han Sun, Sabine Windhorst
Summary: Cellular actin dynamics is regulated by various actin binding proteins (ABPs), including nucleating, bundling, cross-linking, capping, and severing proteins. This review focuses on the regulation of actin dynamics by ABPs, with a specific emphasis on the role of cofilin-1, an F-actin severing protein, and L-plastin, an F-actin bundling protein. As the up-regulation of these proteins in cancer is associated with malignant progression, the cryo-EM structure of F-actin with the respective ABP could be used as a template for in silico drug design to disrupt their interaction.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Mira Kuzmic, Gerard Castro Linares, Jindriska Leischner Fialova, Francois Iv, Daniele Salaun, Alex Llewellyn, Maxime Gomes, Mayssa Belhabib, Yuxiang Liu, Keisuke Asano, Magda Rodrigues, Daniel Isnardon, Taro Tachibana, Gijsje H. Koenderink, Ali Badache, Manos Mavrakis, Pascal Verdier-Pinard
Summary: This study identified the key molecular determinants and potential regulatory roles of septin-microtubule interaction, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying septin-associated pathologies.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Beatrice Benoit, Christian Pous, Anita Baillet
Summary: The cytoskeleton is composed of different structures, including actin microfilaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and recently studied dynamic assemblies such as septins and the ESCRT complex. These filament-forming proteins control various cell functions through interactions with each other and with membranes. Recent research has focused on understanding how septins bind to membranes and influence their properties and functions, either directly or indirectly through other cytoskeleton elements.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. A. Degiosio, P. G. Needham, O. A. Andrews, H. Tristan, M. J. Grubisha, J. L. Brodsky, C. Camacho, R. A. Sweet
Summary: MAP2 phosphorylation plays a critical role in regulating cytoskeletal functions in neurons. Recent research has shown that phosphorylation of MAP2 in the proline-rich and C-terminal domains of the protein affects cellular functions including microtubule assembly, microtubule binding, actin binding, and actin polymerization.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hirotomo Takatsuka, Takumi Higaki, Masaki Ito
Summary: Large vacuoles are crucial cell organelles in plants, accounting for over 90% of cell volume. They generate turgor pressure for cell growth and act as storage for waste products and apoptotic enzymes. Vacuoles undergo dynamic transformations controlled by cytoskeletons. However, the molecular mechanism of this process remains unclear. This review summarizes the behavior of cytoskeletons and vacuoles during plant development, their response to environmental stresses, and introduces potential key molecules in the vacuole-cytoskeleton interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gerald Langer, Ian Probert, Madison B. Cox, Alison Taylor, Glenn M. Harper, Colin Brownlee, Glen Wheeler
Summary: In this study, the effects of microtubule and actin inhibitors on coccolith morphogenesis in two species of coccolithophores were examined. The results showed that all cytoskeleton inhibitors induced malformations in coccoliths, indicating the crucial roles of microtubules and actin filaments in morphogenesis.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Abhishek Ankur Balmik, Shweta Kishor Sonawane, Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi
Summary: The study shows that HDAC6's ZnF UBP domain can modulate Tau phosphorylation, actin cytoskeleton organization, neurite extension, and ApoE nuclear localization. Additionally, it plays a role in increasing tubulin localization in the microtubule organizing center. The ZnF domain of HDAC6 is involved in various regulatory functions in neurodegenerative diseases beyond its classical role in aggresome formation.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kenji Matsuzawa, Hiroki Akita, Takashi Watanabe, Mai Kakeno, Toshinori Matsui, Shujie Wang, Kozo Kaibuchi
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2016)
Article
Microscopy
A. B. Taylor, M. S. Ioannou, T. Watanabe, K. Hahn, T. -L Chew
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tetsuya Takano, Mengya Wu, Shinichi Nakamuta, Honda Naoki, Naruki Ishizawa, Takashi Namba, Takashi Watanabe, Chundi Xu, Tomonari Hamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Yura, Mutsuki Amano, Klaus M. Hahn, Kozo Kaibuchi
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eiji Usukura, Akihiro Narita, Akira Yagi, Nobuaki Sakai, Yoshitsugu Uekusa, Yuka Imaoka, Shuichi Ito, Jiro Usukura
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher J. MacNeyin, Takashi Watanabe, Matthew Weitzman, Akash Gulyani, Sheryl Fuehrer, Nicholas K. Pinkin, Xu Tian, Feng Liu, Jian Jin, Klaus M. Hahn
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Junko Mukohyama, Taichi Isobe, Qingjiang Hu, Takanori Hayashi, Takashi Watanabe, Masao Maeda, Hisano Yanagi, Xin Qian, Kimihiro Yamashita, Hironobu Minami, Koshi Mimori, Debashis Sahoo, Yoshihiro Kakeji, Akira Suzuki, Piero Dalerba, Yohei Shimono
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Takuma Tsuji, Hiroshi Yoshitomi, Yoshie Ishikawa, Naoto Koshizaki, Motoshi Suzuki, Jiro Usukura
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL NANOSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Midori Ikezaki, Shiho Minakata, Kazuchika Nishitsuji, Shotaro Tabata, In-Sook Lee Matsui, Maki Takatani, Jiro Usukura, Yukishige Ito, Yoshito Ihara
Review
Cell Biology
Yasuhiro Funahashi, Takashi Watanabe, Kozo Kaibuchi
CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microscopy
Nobuhiro Morone, Eiji Usukura, Akihiro Narita, Jiro Usukura
Article
Parasitology
Eri H. Hayakawa, Hirotomo Kato, Glenn A. Nardone, Jiro Usukura
Summary: Experimental studies found that ezetimibe inhibited the growth of P. falciparum, but its effect was less significant in the co-culture system, while simvastatin strongly promoted parasite growth in this system. The results suggest the possibility that P. falciparum imports cholesterol through hepatocytes and NPC1L1 protein or its homolog during the erythrocytic stages.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiro Usukura, Akihiro Narita, Tomoharu Matsumoto, Eiji Usukura, Takeshi Sunaoshi, Syunya Watanabe, Yusuke Tamba, Yasuhira Nagakubo, Takashi Mizuo, Junzo Azuma, Masako Osumi, Kazutaka Nimura, Ryuichiro Tamochi, Yoichi Ose
Summary: The new type of cryo-electron microscope allows simultaneous acquisition of transmission and surface images, with high-quality images at 30 kV. Using the unroofing method, fine structures near the cell membrane become visible, including the cytoskeleton, polyribosome chains, and endoplasmic reticulum.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
John Cody Herron, Shiqiong Hu, Bei Liu, Takashi Watanabe, Klaus M. Hahn, Timothy C. Elston
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the formation of phagocytic cups using mathematical modeling and experimental data. The results show that by modifying existing models and adding negative feedback, the experimentally observed rosette pattern of phagocytic cups can be simulated. Two mechanisms are proposed to explain the formation of this pattern, one involving the formation of a ring of high activity by an intermediate signaling molecule, and the other relying on spatial gradients of selectively activated chemical species over the particle.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Eri Saki H. Hayakawa, Marina Wayama, Fuyuki Tokumasu, Nobuhiko Ohno, Mami Matsumoto, Jiro Usukura
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes have unique morphology, metabolism, and protein expression profiles in their asexual stages of development. In this study, the researchers used unroofing-TEM, Serial Block Face scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy techniques to investigate the intracellular structures of gametocytes. They discovered balloon/pouch-like structures and bubbles on the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and inner surface of the erythrocyte membrane, indicating the reforming of exo-membranes in erythrocytes during the sexual development of P. falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Norimichi Itoh, Taku Nagai, Takashi Watanabe, Kentaro Taki, Toshitaka Nabeshima, Kozo Kaibuchi, Kiyofumi Yamada
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)