the-mechanics-poro-elastic-contractile-actomyosin-networks-as-model

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

Cells can actively change their shapes and become motile, a property that depends on their ability to actively reorganize their internal structure. This ...

Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Finger-like protrusions in cells are mostly generated by an active actin cytoskeleton pushing against the cell membrane. Conventional filopodia, localized at the leading edge of the cells, are long and thin protrusions composed of parallel actin filaments that emanate from a branched actin network. In contrast, dendritic filopodia, precursors of dendritic spines in neurons, are entirely filled in with a branched actin network. Here, we investigate in vitro how the dynamics of branched actin structures, polymerized at a membrane surface, trigger the formation of both protrusion types. Using supported bilayers and liposomes, we show that a decrease in the amount of activation sites at the membrane surface leads to the appearance of heterogeneities in the actin network coverage. Such heterogeneities promote the formation of membrane protrusions, and the size of heterogeneity patches matches the one of the protrusion base. Protrusion shape, cylindrical or conical, directly correlates with the absence or the presence of actin branches, respectively.

Finger-like membrane protrusions are favored by heterogeneities in the actin network.

Intra-cellular active transport by native cargos is ubiquitous. We investigate the motion of spherical nano-particles (NPs) grafted with flexible polymers that end with a nuclear localization signal peptide. This peptide allows the recruitment of several  dynein motors from cytoplasmic extracts. To determine how motor-motor interactions influenced motility on the single microtubule level, we conducted bead-motility assays incorporating surface adsorbed microtubules and combined them with model simulations that were based on the properties of a single dynein. The experimental and simulation results revealed long time trajectories: when the number of NP-ligated motors  increased, run-times and run-lengths were enhanced and mean velocities were somewhat decreased. Moreover, the dependence of the velocity on run-time followed a universal curve, regardless of the system composition. Model simulations also demonstrated left- and right-handed helical motion and revealed self-regulation of the number of microtubule-bound, actively transporting dynein motors. This number was stochastic along trajectories and was distributed mainly between one, two, and three motors, regardless of . We propose that this self-regulation allows our synthetic NPs to achieve persistent motion that is associated with major helicity. Such a helical motion might affect obstacle bypassing, which can influence active transport efficiency when facing the crowded environment of the cell.

Shachar Gat

Department of Chemical Engineering

Ben Gurion University of the Negev

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

Shachar Gat

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Chemical Engineering

Ben Gurion University of the Negev

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

Department of Chemical Engineering