A Time-Efficient Fluorescence Spectroscopy-Based Assay for Evaluating Actin Polymerization Status in Rodent and Human Brain Tissues

Summary

We report a simple, time-efficient and high-throughput fluorescence spectroscopy-based assay for the quantification of actin filaments in ex vivo biological samples from brain tissues of rodents and human subjects.

Abstract

Actin, the major component of cytoskeleton, plays a critical role in the maintenance of neuronal structure and function. Under physiological states, actin occurs in equilibrium in its two forms: monomeric globular (G-actin) and polymerized filamentous (F- actin). At the synaptic terminals, actin cytoskeleton forms the basis for critical pre- and post-synaptic functions. Moreover, dynamic changes in the actin polymerization status (interconversion between globular and filamentous forms of actin) are closely linked to plasticity-related alterations in synaptic structure and function. We report here a modified fluorescence-based methodology to assess polymerization status of actin in ex vivo conditions. The assay employs fluorescently labelled phalloidin, a phallotoxin that specifically binds to actin filaments (F-actin), providing a direct measure of polymerized filamentous actin. As a proof of principle, we provide evidence for the suitability of the assay both in rodent and post-mortem human brain tissue homogenates. Using latrunculin A (a drug that depolymerizes actin filaments), we confirm the utility of the assay in monitoring alterations in F-actin levels. Further, we extend the assay to biochemical fractions of isolated synaptic terminals wherein we confirm increased actin polymerization upon stimulation by depolarization with high extracellular K⁺.

Introduction

Cytoskeletal protein actin is involved in multiple cellular functions, including structural support, cellular transport, cell motility and division. Actin occurs in equilibrium in two forms: monomeric globular actin (G-actin) and polymerized filamentous actin (F-actin). Rapid changes in the polymerization status of actin (interconversion between its G- and F- forms) result in rapid filament assembly and disassembly and underlie its regulatory roles in cellular physiology. Actin forms the major component of the neuronal cytoskeletal structure and influences a wide range of neuronal functions^1,2. Of note, the ac....

Protocol

All experimental procedures were carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Otago Committee on Ethics in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Ethics Protocol No. AUP95/18 and AUP80/17) and New Zealand legislature. Human brain tissues were obtained from the Neurological Tissue Bank of Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS BioBank in Barcelona, Spain. All tissue collection protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, and informed consent was obtained from the famili.......

Discussion

The assay described here, essentially adapted from a previous study³⁰ with modifications, employs a phallotoxin, phalloidin tagged with a fluorescent label. Fluorescent phalloidin analogs are considered to be the gold standard for staining actin filaments in fixed tissues^47,48,49. In fact, they are the oldest tools to specifically identify actin filaments⁵⁰ and still remain the mos.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3.5 mL, open-top thickwall polycarbonate tube	Beckman Coulter	349622	For gradient centrifugation (synaptosome prep)
Alexa Fluor 647 Phalloidin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	A22287	F-actin specific ligand
Antibody against  b-actin	Santa Cruz Biotechnology	Sc-47778	For evaluation of total actin levels by immunoblotting
Antibody against GAPDH	Abcam	Ab181602	For evaluation of GAPDH levels by immunoblotting
Bio-Rad Protein Assay Dye Reagent Concentrate	Bio-Rad	5000006	Bradford based protein estimation
Calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2·2H2O)	Sigma-Aldrich	C3306	Krebs buffer component
cOmplete, Mini, EDTA-free Protease Inhibitor Cocktail	Sigma-Aldrich	4693159001	For inhibition of endogenous protease activity during sample preparation
Corning 96-well Clear Flat Bottom Polystyrene	Corning	3596	For light-scattering measurements
D-(+)-Glucose	Sigma-Aldrich	G8270	Krebs buffer component
Dimethyl sulfoxide	Sigma-Aldrich	D5879	Solvent for phalloidin and latrunculin A
Fluorescent flatbed scanner (Odyssey Infrared Scanner)	Li-Cor Biosciences		For detection of immunoreactive signals on immunoblots
Glutaraldehyde solution (25% in water) Grade II	Sigma-Aldrich	G6257	Fixative
HEPES	Sigma-Aldrich	H3375	Buffer ingredient for sample preparation and Krebs buffer component
Latrunculin A	Sigma-Aldrich	L5163	Depolymerizer of actin filaments
Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2·6H2O)	Sigma-Aldrich	M2670	Krebs buffer component
Microplates
Mitex membrane filter 5 mm	Millipore	LSWP01300	Preparation of synaptoneurosomes
Nunc F96 MicroWell Black Plate	Thermo Fisher Scientific	237105	For fluorometric measurements
Nylon net filter 100 mm	Millipore	NY1H02500	Preparation of synaptoneurosomes
Phosphatase Inhibitor Cocktail IV	Abcam	ab201115	For inhibition of endogenous phosphatase activity during sample preparation
Potassium chloride (KCl)	Sigma-Aldrich	P9541	Krebs buffer component and for depolarization of synaptic terminals
Potassium phosphate monobasic ((KH2PO4)	Sigma-Aldrich	P9791	Krebs buffer component
Sodium borohydride (NaBH4)	Sigma-Aldrich	71320	Component of Permeabilization buffer
Sodium chloride (NaCl)	LabServ (Thermo Fisher Scientific)	BSPSL944	Krebs buffer component
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3)	LabServ (Thermo Fisher Scientific)	BSPSL900	Krebs buffer component
SpectraMax i3x	Molecular Devices		For fluorometric measurements
Sucrose	Fisher Chemical	S/8600/60	Buffer ingredient for sample preparation
Swimnex Filter Holder	Millipore	Sx0001300	Preparation of synaptoneurosomes
Tissue grinder 5 mL Potter-Elvehjem	Duran Wheaton Kimble	358034	For tissue homogenization
Triton X-100	Sigma-Aldrich	X100	Component of Permeabilization buffer
Trizma base	Sigma-Aldrich	T6066	Buffer ingredient for sample preparation