Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Xenbase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
XB-ART-49922
Curr Biol 2013 Jun 17;2312:1046-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.04.057.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Dynamic localization of G-actin during membrane protrusion in neuronal motility.

Lee CW , Vitriol EA , Shim S , Wise AL , Velayutham RP , Zheng JQ .


???displayArticle.abstract???
Actin-based cell motility is fundamental for development, function, and malignant events in eukaryotic organisms. During neural development, axonal growth cones depend on rapid assembly and disassembly of actin filaments (F-actin) for their guided extension to specific targets for wiring. Monomeric globular actin (G-actin) is the building block for F-actin but is not considered to play a direct role in spatiotemporal control of actin dynamics in cell motility. Here we report that a pool of G-actin dynamically localizes to the leading edge of growth cones and neuroblastoma cells to spatially elevate the G-/F-actin ratio that drives membrane protrusion and cell movement. Loss of G-actin localization leads to the cessation and retraction of membrane protrusions. Moreover, G-actin localization occurs asymmetrically in growth cones during attractive turning. Finally, we identify the actin monomer-binding proteins profilin and thymosin β4 as key molecules that localize actin monomers to the leading edge of lamellipodia for their motility. Our results suggest that dynamic localization of G-actin provides a novel mechanism to regulate the spatiotemporal actin dynamics underlying membrane protrusion in cell locomotion and growth cone chemotaxis.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 23746641
???displayArticle.pmcLink??? PMC3712510
???displayArticle.link??? Curr Biol
???displayArticle.grants??? [+]

Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: actb actl6a pfn1

References [+] :
Bubb, Jasplakinolide, a cytotoxic natural product, induces actin polymerization and competitively inhibits the binding of phalloidin to F-actin. 1994, Pubmed