Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Wenhui Tang, Amit Das, Adrian F. Pegoraro, Yu Long Han, Jessie Huang, David A. Roberts, Haiqian Yang, Jeffrey J. Fredberg, Darrell N. Kotton, Dapeng Bi, Ming Guo
Summary: Many important cellular structures in the body are curved, and this curvature influences collective cell migration. Cells respond to multicellular-scale curvature and it plays a role in regulating migration. Increasing curvature promotes fluidity in multicellular monolayers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Zheng, Xiaojing Liu, Lijie Liu, Xiaochuan Li, Song Jiang, Caoyuan Niu, Puhui Xie, Guoxing Liu, Zhanqi Cao, Yunlai Ren, Yuchen Qin, Jianji Wang
Summary: This study reports a fluorescent single crystal with optical plastic bending and fluorescence switching properties, attributed to extended pi-conjugation and molecular slippage. The crystal also exhibits high elasticity and reversible fluorescence switching triggered by various stimuli.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel A. D. Flormann, Moritz Schu, Emmanuel Terriac, Divyendu Thalla, Lucina Kainka, Marcus Koch, Annica K. B. Gad, Franziska Lautenschlaeger
Summary: Advancements in advanced microscopy techniques have enhanced imaging quality and understanding of subcellular structures, but computational analysis techniques have not progressed at the same pace. A new algorithm for tracing filament networks has been developed, capable of extracting important parameters and distinguishing sub-networks in two-dimensional images. This algorithm can be widely applied in analyzing images obtained from different advanced microscopy methods.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matteo Ferraresso, Albert Kong, Mehadi Hasan, Daniele Agostinelli, Gwynn J. Elfring, Mattia Bacca
Summary: Cytoskeletal gels are prototypes to mimic the mechanical contraction of the cytoskeleton in vitro by utilizing polymer networks and molecular motors. The contraction is achieved through the stiffening of the polymer backbone and the flow of the solvent. The required mechanical energy for contraction depends on the density of polymer chains and molecular motors, with two limit regimes identified: fast motor activation and slow motor activation.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Chengqing Qu, Robyn Roth, Pongpratch Puapatanakul, Charles Loitman, Dina Hammad, Guy M. Genin, Jeffrey H. Miner, Hani Y. Suleiman
Summary: A new visualization technique has been developed to reveal the detailed three-dimensional organization of actin networks in healthy podocytes, providing insights into how podocytes respond to mechanical cues from their surrounding environment.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Santimoy Sen, Sheetal Lagas, Abhishek Roy, Hemant Kumar
Summary: Cells rely on a balanced cytoskeleton to maintain cellular integrity and regulate signaling pathways. Dysregulation of the cytoskeleton can lead to various pathological conditions, and targeting cytoskeletal dynamics may provide new therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Chao Wang, Yanli Zhou, Xiao Yang, Yingcai Chen, Yifan Shen, Mengbo Luo
Summary: This study investigates the conformational and dynamical properties of a tethered semiflexible polymer chain under tangential active force using Langevin dynamics simulation. The results show that for large active force and bending rigidity, the polymer buckles into a quasihelical structure rotating around the z axis, which is independent of the polymer length but shows scaling relations with the active force and bending rigidity. The study also reveals the underlying mechanism of the buckling process.
Article
Cell Biology
George M. Langford
Summary: The speaker is deeply honored to receive the 2022 ASCB Public Service Award and highlights their research on the cytoskeleton and molecular motors. They also emphasize their dedication to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific community. The speaker founded the PAIR-UP Imaging Science Program for Black Imaging Scientists to improve the professional work environment for Black scientists and promote a strong cultural identity.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hiroki Sakuta, Naoki Nakatani, Takayuki Torisawa, Yutaka Sumino, Kanta Tsumoto, Kazuhiro Oiwa, Kenichi Yoshikawa
Summary: Water phase separation in cells can lead to mechanical motion by entrapping protein motors and generating vortex flow inside cell-sized droplets. This study reveals that the water phase separation interface can drive translational motion of droplets by spontaneously entrapping kinesins and microtubules and generating vortex flow. The findings highlight the importance of water phase separation in both chemical and mechanical processes.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianyan Zeng, Jing Xi, Baoxia Li, Xingying Yan, Yonglu Dai, Yiping Wu, Yuehua Xiao, Yan Pei, Mi Zhang
Summary: This study elucidates the roles of actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in the initiation of cotton fiber growth. Both cytoskeletons align along the growth axis in initiating fibers. Dense and bundled actin filaments (AFs) are observed in fiber cells, while microtubules (MTs) are randomized. Pharmacological experiments demonstrate that depolymerization of both AFs and MTs assist fiber initiation, while AF stabilization and depolymerization inhibit elongation. Notably, the organization of AFs is correlated with MT dynamics.
PLANT CELL REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Cao, Xin-Ran Xue, Qiu-Yi Li, Min-Jie Zhang, Brendan F. Abrahams, Jian-Ping Lang
Summary: In this study, a photoactive one-dimensional Zn-II coordination polymer is reported, which exhibits rapid shrinking, bending, and bursting behavior under UV light irradiation. The photomechanical activity is associated with a photoinduced phase transition and the cleavage and formation of chemical bonds. The material shows potential as a photoactuator and has both practical and theoretical significance.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sriramvignesh Mani, Harshwardhan H. Katkar, Gregory A. Voth
Summary: The study presents an Ultra-Coarse-Grained model of actin filaments that can simulate ATP hydrolysis, inorganic phosphate release, and depolymerization reactions. The effects of compressive and tensile strains on the rates of reactions are analyzed, with compressive strains decreasing the rate of ATP hydrolysis and increasing the Pi release rate, while tensile strain has the opposite effect. Incorporating these predictions into a Markov State Model reveals that strains alter the steady-state distribution of subunits with ADPPi and ADP nucleotide, potentially impacting the binding of regulatory proteins to actin filaments.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bugra Oezdemir, Ralf Reski
Summary: Cytoskeletal filaments play crucial roles in biological cells and organisms, and understanding their geometric and topological organization is key for revealing their functions. High-resolution microscopy and sophisticated image processing software are required for accurate segmentation. Recent advancements in deep learning have started to simplify this task.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francis Cavanna, Jose Alvarado
Summary: This study reveals that the mesh size of actin networks scales inversely with actin concentration, and is dependent on the concentration of the bundling agent. Nearest-distance distributions are best fit by Weibull and Gamma distributions. A complete understanding of the mesh structure of biopolymer networks leads to a more mechanistic understanding of the structure of the cytoskeleton.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joachim Berger, Silke Berger, Yu Shan G. Mok, Mei Li, Hakan Tarakci, Peter D. Currie
Summary: Sarcomere assembly is a complex process involving filament capping proteins. CapZ proteins, Lmod proteins, and Tmod proteins play different roles in thin filament assembly. Zebrafish mutants with deficiencies in these capping proteins exhibited sarcomere defects, suggesting their involvement in myofibril growth. However, the presence of residual organized sarcomeres in the mutants indicates that these proteins are not essential for initial myofibril assembly.
