Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sebastian J. Baumann, Julia Grawenhoff, Elsa C. Rodrigues, Silvia Speroni, Maria Gili, Artem Komissarov, Sebastian P. Maurer
Summary: Understanding where mRNAs are translated in the cytoplasm is crucial for protein expression. In this study, researchers discover that APC acts as an adaptor for kinesin-based mRNA transport, forming stable complexes with neuronal mRNA fragments. The interaction between APC-RNPs and kinesin-1 enables highly processive mRNA transport along microtubules, and the presence of end-binding protein 1 (EB1) facilitates dynamic movement of APC-RNPs. These findings establish the importance of APC in the bidirectional movement of neuronal transport mRNPs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ruiyan Cen, Liqun Wang, Yongqing He, Chenda Yue, Yang Tan, Lingfei Li, Xia Lei
Summary: This study reveals an important role of stathmin in the migration and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. Stathmin is shown to increase with p38/MAPK pathway activation in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, resulting in microtubule depolymerization and increased migration and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. Targeting stathmin or the p38/MAPK pathway could be a potential strategy for clinical interventions in wound healing.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Gael Menasche, Cyril Lenge, Manuela Bratti, Ulrich Blank
Summary: Mast cells release bioactive compounds upon stimulation and their granule secretion is regulated by the cytoskeleton and transport mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed a tight coupling between these two systems, offering new strategies for treating allergic and inflammatory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
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)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Siwen Wu, Lixiu Lv, Linxi Li, Lingling Wang, Baiping Mao, Jun Li, Xian Shen, Renshan Ge, Chris K. C. Wong, Fei Sun, C. Yan Cheng
Summary: This study investigated the role of MT-dependent and microtubule plus end-directed motor protein kinesin 15 (KIF15) in the testis. KIF15 showed stage-specific expression and association with MTs in the seminiferous epithelium, playing a crucial role in supporting spermatid transport. Knockdown of KIF15 in Sertoli cells disrupted the barrier function and cytoskeletal organization, indicating that KIF15 regulates cellular functions beyond microtubules.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivan P. Uray, Karen Uray
Summary: Mechanical signals are crucial for the survival, adaptation, and normal functioning of cells. Mechanotransduction, the process of converting mechanical information into intracellular biochemical signals, plays a key role in physiological and pathological processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haofeng Liu, Yongxin Cao, Wenjing Zhang, Zhu Liu, Yan Li, Yu Chen, Hongchang Zhang, Fei Yu, Xiayan Liu
Summary: This study identifies 78 putative IQD family genes in the genome of hexaploid wheat and characterizes one TaIQD protein. The results reveal that TaIQD proteins regulate plant cell and organ morphogenesis and provide new insights into the functions of crop IQD proteins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tara Lancaster, Maral E. A. Tabrizi, Mariaelena Repici, Janesh Gupta, Stephane R. Gross
Summary: Although S100P is known to be a marker for carcinogenesis, its expression in non-physio-pathological states promotes trophoblast motility and invasion. The mechanisms behind these cellular processes were unknown until this study, where it was found that S100P is present on the plasma membrane/cell surface of all tested trophoblast cells. Inhibiting cell surface-bound or extracellular S100P pools significantly reduced cellular motility and invasion, uncovering two newly characterized pathways through which S100P promotes trophoblast cellular motility and invasion.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sylvie Gory-Faure, Rebecca Powell, Julie Jonckheere, Fabien Lante, Eric Denarier, Leticia Peris, Chi Hung Nguyen, Alain Buisson, Laurence Lafanechere, Annie Andrieux
Summary: The search for effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders is ongoing, with modulation of LIMK activity being a potential new therapeutic strategy. Experimental results show that long-term treatment with Pyr1 can improve synaptic plasticity defects and behavioral disorders in animal models.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xabier Morales, Rafael Pelaez, Saray Garasa, Carlos Ortiz de Solorzano, Ana Rouzaut
Summary: CRMP2 is an adaptor protein involved in cytoskeleton molding and has been found to play a crucial role in cancer progression. Phosphorylation of CRMP2 affects cancer cell migration, leading to impaired tumor growth in related mutants.
Review
Cell Biology
Akanksha Thawani, Sabine Petry
Summary: Research in recent years has provided important insights into how microtubules are formed, including the structure of the gamma-tubulin ring complex and the real-time process of microtubule nucleation. Additionally, the discovery of a second essential nucleation factor helps explain why the observed nucleation activity of the gamma-TuRC is relatively low.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengbo Liang, Clara Schmitz, Beatrice Lace, Franck Anicet Ditengou, Chao Su, Eija Schulze, Julian Knerr, Robert Grosse, Jean Keller, Cyril Libourel, Pierre-Marc Delaux, Thomas Ott
Summary: Legumes have the ability to associate with rhizobia for nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis. In Medicago truncatula, root hair colonization by Sinorhizobium meliloti begins from young root hairs, which physically entwine around the symbiont to form rhizobial traps. This unique process involves alterations in membrane organization, cytosolic calcium gradient, actin rearrangements, and symbiotic responses in legumes.
Review
Cell Biology
Raj Kumar Sadhu, Ales Iglic, Nir S. Gov
Summary: A sheet-like protrusion called a lamellipodium plays a key role in cell motility. Recent theoretical studies have revealed a self-organizing feedback mechanism involving membrane-bound protein complexes and the cytoskeleton which can explain the formation of lamellipodia. This mechanism not only accounts for cell spreading and migration, but also explains processes such as phagocytosis. These findings suggest the presence of general physical principles underlying cellular shape dynamics.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonora Sarantelli, Apostolis Mourkakis, Lefteris C. Zacharia, Andreas Stylianou, Vasiliki Gkretsi
Summary: As metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, understanding the cellular and molecular events involved in cancer cell migration and invasion is crucial for developing novel anti-metastatic therapies. Fascin-1, an actin-bundling protein, plays a fundamental role in cell migration processes. It is significantly elevated in most cancers and its high expression is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Recent studies show that Fascin-1 is critically involved in metastasis and suggest it as a promising target for anti-metastatic treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)