Conformational states during vinculin unlocking differentially regulate focal adhesion properties.

Focal adhesions (FAs) are multi-protein complexes that connect the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, via integrin receptors. The growth, stability and adhesive functionality of these structures are tightly regulated by mechanical stress, yet, despite the extensive characterization of the integrin adhesome, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying FA mechanosensitivity are still unclear. Besides talin, another key candidate for regulating FA-associated mechanosensing, is vinculin, a prominent FA component, which possesses either closed ("auto-inhibited") or open ("active") conformation. A direct experimental demonstration, however, of the conformational transition between the two states is still absent. In this study, we combined multiple structural and biological approaches to probe the transition from the auto-inhibited to the active conformation, and determine its effects on FA structure and dynamics. We further show that the transition from a closed to an open conformation requires two sequential steps that can differentially regulate FA growth and stability.

Distinct actin oligomers modulate differently the activity of actin nucleators.

Polymerization of actin monomers into filaments requires the initial formation of nuclei composed of a few actin subunits; however, their instability has hindered their detailed study. Therefore we used chemically crosslinked actin oligomers to analyse their effect on actin polymerization. Actin dimer (upper dimer, UD), trimer and tetramer intermolecularly crosslinked by phenylene-bismaleimide along the genetic helix (between Lys199 and Cys374) were isolated by gel filtration and found to increasingly stimulate actin polymerization as shown by the pyrene assay and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In contrast, the so-called lower actin dimer (LD) characterized by a Cys374-Cys374 crosslink stimulated actin polymerization only at low but inhibited it at high concentrations. UD and trimer stimulated the repolymerization of actin from complexes with thymosin ß4 (Tß4) or profilin, whereas the LD stimulated repolymerization only from the profilin : actin but not the actin : Tß4 complex. In vivo, actin polymerization is stimulated by nucleation factors. Therefore the interaction and effects of purified LD, UD and trimer on the actin-nucleating activity of gelsolin, mouse diaphanous related (mDia) formin and the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex were analysed. Native gel electrophoresis demonstrated binding of LD, UD and trimer to gelsolin and its fragment G1-3, to the FH2 domains of the formins mDia1 and mDia3, and to Arp2/3 complex. UD and trimer increased the nucleating activity of gelsolin and G1-3, but not of the mDia-FH2 domain nor of the Arp2/3 complex. In contrast, LD at equimolar concentration to Arp2/3 complex stimulated its nucleating activity, but inhibited that of mDia-FH2 domains, gelsolin and G1-3, demonstrating differential regulation of their nucleating activity by dimers containing differently oriented actin subunits.

Enzymatic characterization of recombinant nitrate reductase expressed and purified from Neurospora crassa.

We established an expression and purification procedure for recombinant protein production in Neurospora crassa (N. crassa). This Strep-tag® based system was successfully used for purifying recombinant N. crassa nitrate reductase (NR), whose enzymatic activity was compared to recombinant N. crassa NR purified from Escherichia coli. The purity of the two different NR preparations was similar but NR purified from N. crassa showed a significantly higher nitrate turnover rate. Two phosphorylation sites were identified for NR purified from the endogenous expression system. We conclude that homologous expression of N. crassa NR yields a higher active enzyme and propose that NR phosphorylation causes enhanced enzymatic activity.

Thymosin beta4 inhibits ADF/cofilin stimulated F-actin cycling and hela cell migration: reversal by active Arp2/3 complex.

F-actin treadmilling plays a key part in cell locomotion. Because immunofluorescence showed colocalisation of thymosin beta4 (Tß4) with cofilin-1 and Arp2/3 complex in lamellipodia, we analyzed combinations of these proteins on F-actin-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-hydrolysis, which provides a measure of actin treadmilling. Actin depolymerising factor (ADF)/cofilin stimulated treadmilling, while Tß4 decreased treadmilling, presumably by sequestering monomers. Tß4 added together with ADF/cofilin also inhibited the treadmilling, relative to cofilin alone, but both the rate and extent of depolymerization were markedly enhanced in the presence of both these proteins. Arp2/3 complex reversed the sequestering activity of Tß4 when equimolar to actin, but not in the additional presence of cofilin-1 or ADF. Transfection experiments to explore the effects of changing the intracellular concentration of Tß4 in HeLa cells showed that an increase in Tß4 resulted in reduced actin filaments bundles and narrower lamellipodia, and a conspicuous decrease of cell migration as seen by two different assays. In contrast, cells transfected with a vector leading to Tß4 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) displayed prominent actin filament networks within the lamellipodia and the leading lamella and enhanced migration. The experiments reported here demonstrate the importance of the interplay of these different classes of actin-binding proteins on cell behaviour.

Unconventional actin configurations step into the limelight.

The existence of a cellular machinery that is based on the reversible polymerization of globular nucleotide-bound protomers into polar microfilaments is a persistent feature from prokaryotes to higher vertebrates. However, while in bacteria, actin-like proteins with such properties have evolved into a large family with divergent sequences and polymeric structures, eukaryotes express only a small number of highly conserved actins. Indeed, the sequence of actin is one of the best conserved among eukaryotes and yet actin carries out many different functions at distinct cellular sites. Because of the notorious conservation and lack of suitable tools to examine structural plasticity, the vast majority of studies on cellular actin functions consider mainly two structural states, G-actin and F-actin. However, there is more to the structural plasticity of actin than first meets the eye. On one hand, more than 200 actin-binding proteins shape the conformation of actin and thereby regulate functional diversity. On the other hand, unconventional actin conformations that differ from monomeric G-actin are stepping into the limelight. In addition, supramolecular actin structures that extend beyond classical F-actin are emerging. Herein, we recapitulate the current knowledge on the structure and conformations of monomeric actin and its polymerization into higher order structures, paying special attention to less known forms and their involvement in actin function.

Neuronal profilin isoforms are addressed by different signalling pathways.

Profilins are prominent regulators of actin dynamics. While most mammalian cells express only one profilin, two isoforms, PFN1 and PFN2a are present in the CNS. To challenge the hypothesis that the expression of two profilin isoforms is linked to the complex shape of neurons and to the activity-dependent structural plasticity, we analysed how PFN1 and PFN2a respond to changes of neuronal activity. Simultaneous labelling of rodent embryonic neurons with isoform-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed both isoforms in the same synapse. Immunoelectron microscopy on brain sections demonstrated both profilins in synapses of the mature rodent cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Both isoforms were significantly more abundant in postsynaptic than in presynaptic structures. Immunofluorescence showed PFN2a associated with gephyrin clusters of the postsynaptic active zone in inhibitory synapses of embryonic neurons. When cultures were stimulated in order to change their activity level, active synapses that were identified by the uptake of synaptotagmin antibodies, displayed significantly higher amounts of both isoforms than non-stimulated controls. Specific inhibition of NMDA receptors by the antagonist APV in cultured rat hippocampal neurons resulted in a decrease of PFN2a but left PFN1 unaffected. Stimulation by the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), on the other hand, led to a significant increase in both synaptic PFN1 and PFN2a. Analogous results were obtained for neuronal nuclei: both isoforms were localized in the same nucleus, and their levels rose significantly in response to KCl stimulation, whereas BDNF caused here a higher increase in PFN1 than in PFN2a. Our results strongly support the notion of an isoform specific role for profilins as regulators of actin dynamics in different signalling pathways, in excitatory as well as in inhibitory synapses. Furthermore, they suggest a functional role for both profilins in neuronal nuclei.

An antiparallel actin dimer is associated with the endocytic pathway in mammalian cells.

The dynamic rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in several cellular processes such as cell motility, endocytosis, RNA processing and chromatin organization. However, the supramolecular actin structures involved in the different processes remain largely unknown. One of the less studied forms of actin is the lower dimer (LD). This unconventional arrangement of two actin molecules in an antiparallel orientation can be detected by chemical crosslinking at the onset of polymerization in vitro. Moreover, evidence for a transient incorporation of LD into growing filaments and its ability to inhibit nucleation of F-actin filament assembly implicate that the LD pathway contributes to supramolecular actin patterning. However, a clear link from this actin species to a specific cellular function has not yet been established. We have developed an antibody that selectively binds to LD configurations in supramolecular actin structures assembled in vitro. This antibody allowed us to unveil the LD in different mammalian cells. In particular, we show an association of the antiparallel actin arrangement with the endocytic compartment at the cellular and ultrastructural level. Taken together, our results strongly support a functional role of LD in the patterning of supramolecular actin assemblies in mammalian cells.

Actin: from structural plasticity to functional diversity.

This article addresses the multiple activities of actin. Starting out with the history of actin's discovery, purification and structure, it emphasizes the close relation between structure and function. In this context, we also point to unconventional actin conformations. Their existence in living cells is not yet well documented, however, they seem to play a special role in the supramolecular patterning that underlies some of the physiological functions of actin. Conceivably, such conformations may contribute to actin's diverse activities in the nucleus that are poorly understood so far.

The long journey: actin on the road to pro- and eukaryotic cells.

Actin-like proteins comprise a large group of polymorphic proteins that readily form filaments engaged in cytoskeletal functions. Various members have been identified in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, e.g. MreB, ParM and Ta0583, and actin and the actin-related proteins, ARPs, respectively. Therefore, it is assumed that an ancestor of actin/MreB/ParM already existed in the last common progenitor of all cells. In eubacteria and archaea, actin-like proteins are either membrane-associated or freely soluble, and their activities are related to motility, cell shape maintenance, subcellular organization and cell cycle progression. In eukaryotes, all these functions are executed by actin in various isoforms. Additional functions have been described for actin and ARPs in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell, and some of those were also discovered in prokaryotes. In the current essay, we compare structures and selected functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic actins and discuss various aspects on how actins may have found their way into bacteria, into the eukaryotic cytoplasm and into the nuclear compartment.

Fine-tuning of neuronal architecture requires two profilin isoforms.

Two profilin isoforms (PFN1 and PFN2a) are expressed in the mammalian brain. Although profilins are essential for regulating actin dynamics in general, the specific role of these isoforms in neurons has remained elusive. We show that knockdown of the neuron-specific PFN2a results in a significant reduction in dendrite complexity and spine numbers of hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of PFN1 in PFN2a-deficient neurons prevents the loss of spines but does not restore dendritic complexity. Furthermore, we show that profilins are involved in differentially regulating actin dynamics downstream of the pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), a receptor engaged in modulating neuronal morphology. Overexpression of PFN2a restores the morphological changes in dendrites caused by p75(NTR) overexpression, whereas PFN1 restores the normal spine density. Our data assign specific functions to the two PFN isoforms, possibly attributable to different affinities for potent effectors also involved in actin dynamics, and suggest that they are important for the signal-dependent fine-tuning of neuronal architecture.

Modulation of actin filament dynamics by actin-binding proteins residing in lamellipodia.

Lamellipodial extension depends essentially on the polymerisation cycle of actin. In this cellular compartment the rate and extent of actin polymerisation is tightly regulated by a large number of actin-binding proteins. The main regulators comprise proteins of the actin-depolymerising factor (ADF)/cofilin family, which stimulate actin cycling, but there are also minor constituents like gelsolin and certain variants of tropomyosin that have so far not been considered to be lamellipodial constituents. A number of cell lines express ADF and cofilin simultaneously as shown here for the fibroblastic normal rat kidney (NRK) cell line. Both proteins co-localise in the lamellipodial region. We furthermore demonstrate the presence of gelsolin in lamellipodia by immunostaining with anti-gelsolin antibodies and transfection with EGFP-tagged gelsolin constructs. The presence of tropomyosins in lamellipodia has recently been reported (Hillberg et al., 2006. Tropomyosins are present in lamellipodia of motile cells. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 85, 399-409). In order to evaluate the effect of the simultaneous presence of ADF and cofilin together with tropomyosin and/or gelsolin on the polymerisation cycle of actin, we analysed their effect or combinations of these actin-binding proteins on the steady-state F-actin-ATPase activity in biochemical assays. Our results demonstrate stimulatory effects of ADF/cofilin on actin cycling and a further modulation of ADF/cofilin-stimulated F-actin-ATPase activity by gelsolin and tropomyosin in a complex manner.

In birds, profilin-2a is ubiquitously expressed and contributes to actin-based motility.

Profilins are small actin-binding proteins expressed in all eukaryotes. They are involved in the regulation of actin filament dynamics and various signalling pathways. The identification of a variety of profilin isoforms led to the assumption that there may be isoform-specific functions. In mammals, profilin-1 (PFN1) is ubiquitously expressed and engaged in the regulation of various motility processes in all cell types. By contrast, profilin-2a (PFN2a) is mainly restricted to neuronal cells and there is evidence that it is involved in neuronal plasticity and membrane trafficking. However, the PFN2a sequence is much better conserved than PFN1 throughout different phyla, indicating that its restricted expression and specialized function in mammals might be unique. Using isoform-specific antibodies, we show that the situation is different in birds. PFN2a is ubiquitously expressed in embryonic and adult chicken tissues at equal and frequently higher amounts than in mammals. Together with PFN1, it is present in cultivated chicken fibroblasts, but differentially localized. Knockdown experiments with miRNA reveal that PFN2a is involved in cell adhesion, spreading and locomotion, and silencing this isoform has pronounced consequences on these processes. Our results indicate profilin isoform expression is differentially regulated among vertebrates.

Peptide nanoparticles serve as a powerful platform for the immunogenic display of poorly antigenic actin determinants.

The role of actin in transcription and RNA processing is now widely accepted but the form of nuclear actin remains enigmatic. Monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric forms of actin seem to be involved in nuclear functions. Moreover, uncommon forms of actin such as the "lower dimer" have been observed in vitro. Antibodies have been pivotal in revealing the presence and distribution of different forms of actin in different cellular locations. Because of its high degree of conservation, actin is a poor immunogen and only few specific actin antibodies are available. To unravel the mystery of less common forms of actin, in particular those in the nucleus, we chose to tailor monoclonal antibodies to recognize distinct forms of actin. To increase the immune response, we used a new approach based on peptide nanoparticles, which are designed to mimic an icosahedral virus capsid and allow the repetitive, ordered display of a specific epitope on their surface. Actin sequences representing the highly conserved "hydrophobic loop," which is buried in the filamentous actin filament, were grafted onto the surface of nanoparticles by genetic engineering. After immunization with "loop nanoparticles," a number of monoclonal antibodies were established that bind to the hydrophobic loop both in vitro and in situ. Immunofluorescence studies on cells revealed that filamentous actin filaments were only labeled once the epitope had been exposed. Our studies indicate that self-assembling peptide nanoparticles represent a versatile platform that can easily be customized to present antigenic determinants in repetitive, ordered arrays and elicit an immune response against poor antigens.

Actin: its cumbersome pilgrimage through cellular compartments.

In this article, we follow the history of one of the most abundant, most intensely studied proteins of the eukaryotic cells: actin. We report on hallmarks of its discovery, its structural and functional characterization and localization over time, and point to present days' knowledge on its position as a member of a large family. We focus on the rather puzzling number of diverse functions as proposed for actin as a dual compartment protein. Finally, we venture on some speculations as to its origin.

The hnRNP and cytoskeletal protein raver1 contributes to synaptic plasticity.

Raver1 is an hnRNP protein that interacts with the ubiquitous splicing regulator PTB and binds to cytoskeletal components like alpha-actinin and vinculin/metavinculin. Cell culture experiments suggested that raver1 functions as corepressor in PTB-regulated splicing reactions and may thereby increase proteome complexity. To determine the role of raver1 in vivo, we inactivated the gene by targeted disruption in the mouse. Here we report that raver1-deficient mice develop regularly to adulthood and show no obvious anatomical or behavioral defects. In keeping with this notion, cells from raver1-null mice were indistinguishable from wild type cells and displayed normal growth, motility, and cytoskeletal architecture in culture. Moreover, alternative splicing of exons, including the model exon 3 of alpha-tropomyosin, was not markedly changed in mutant mice, suggesting that the role of raver1 for PTB-mediated exon repression is not absolutely required to generate splice variants during mouse development. Interestingly however, loss of raver1 caused significantly reduced plasticity of synapses on acute hippocampal slices, as elicited by electrophysiological measurements of markedly lower LTP and LTD in mutant neurons. Our results provide evidence that raver1 may play an important role for the regulation of neuronal synaptic plasticity, possibly by controlling especially the late LTP via posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Raver1 is an integral component of muscle contractile elements.

Raver1, a ubiquitously expressed protein, was originally identified as a ligand for metavinculin, the muscle-specific isoform of the microfilament-associated protein vinculin. The protein resides primarily in the nucleus, where it colocalises and may interact with polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein, which is involved in alternative splicing processes. During skeletal muscle differentiation, raver1 translocates to the cytoplasm and eventually targets the Z-line of sarcomeres. Here, it colocalises with metavinculin, vinculin and alpha-actinin, all of which have biochemically been identified as raver1 ligands. To obtain more information about the potential role of raver1 in muscle structure and function, we have investigated its distribution and fine localisation in mouse striated and smooth muscle, by using three monoclonal antibodies that recognise epitopes in different regions of the raver1 protein. Our immunofluorescence and immunoelectron-microscopic results indicate that the cytoplasmic accumulation of raver1 is not confined to skeletal muscle but also occurs in heart and smooth muscle. Unlike vinculin and metavinculin, cytoplasmic raver1 is not restricted to costameres but additionally represents an integral part of the sarcomere. In isolated myofibrils and in ultrathin sections of skeletal muscle, raver1 has been found concentrated at the I-Z-I band. A minor fraction of raver1 is present in the nuclei of all three types of muscle. These data indicate that, during muscle differentiation, raver1 might link gene expression with structural functions of the contractile machinery of muscle.

Tracking down the different forms of nuclear actin.

Actin is a rather uncommitted protein with a high degree of structural plasticity: it can adopt a variety of structural states, depending on the specific ionic conditions or the interaction with ligand proteins. These interactions lock actin into a distinct conformation, which specifies the oligomeric or polymeric form it can assume. The interplay between monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric forms is used by the cell to execute an enormous variety of motility processes, such as lamellipodium formation during locomotion or intracellular transport of vesicles. In these cytoplasmic events, monomeric G-actin and filamentous F-actin are the prevalent forms. However, there might be other structural states of actin in cells that have so far not received the attention they deserve. Here, we propose that specific, "unconventional" actin conformations might contribute especially to the multitude of functions executed by actin in the nucleus. We present evidence for the existence of different forms of nuclear actin, taken from studies with selected antibodies.

The proline-rich protein palladin is a binding partner for profilin.

Palladin is an actin-associated protein that has been suggested to play critical roles in establishing cell morphology and maintaining cytoskeletal organization in a wide variety of cell types. Palladin has been shown previously to bind directly to three different actin-binding proteins vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), alpha-actinin and ezrin, suggesting that it functions as an organizing unit that recruits actin-regulatory proteins to specific subcellular sites. Palladin contains sequences resembling a motif known to bind profilin. Here, we demonstrate that palladin is a binding partner for profilin, interacting with profilin via a poly proline-containing sequence in the amino-terminal half of palladin. Double-label immunofluorescence staining shows that palladin and profilin partially colocalize in actin-rich structures in cultured astrocytes. Our results suggest that palladin may play an important role in recruiting profilin to sites of actin dynamics.

Raver2, a new member of the hnRNP family.

Raver2 was identified as a novel member of the hnRNP family based on sequence homology within three RNA recognition motifs and its general domain organization reminiscent of the previously described raver1 protein. Like raver1, raver2 contains two putative nuclear localization signals and a potential nuclear export sequence, and also displays nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling in a heterokaryon assay. In glia cells and neurons, raver2 localizes to the nucleus. Moreover, the protein interacts with polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) suggesting that it may participate in PTB-mediated nuclear functions. In contrast to ubiquitously expressed raver1, raver2 exerts a distinct spatio-temporal expression pattern during embryogenesis and is essentially restricted to brain, lung, and kidney in the adult mouse.

Vinculin acts as a sensor in lipid regulation of adhesion-site turnover.

The dynamics of cell adhesion sites control cell morphology and motility. Adhesion-site turnover is thought to depend on the local availability of the acidic phospholipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)). PIP(2) can bind to many cell adhesion proteins such as vinculin and talin, but the consequences of this interaction are poorly understood. To study the significance of phospholipid binding to vinculin for adhesion-site turnover and cell motility, we constructed a mutant, vinculin-LD, deficient in acidic phospholipid binding yet with functional actin-binding sites. When expressed in cells, vinculin-LD was readily recruited to adhesion sites, as judged by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis, but cell spreading and migration were strongly impaired, and PIP(2)-dependent disassembly of adhesions was suppressed. Thus, PIP(2) binding is not essential for vinculin activation and recruitment, as previously suggested. Instead, we propose that PIP(2) levels can regulate the uncoupling of adhesion sites from the actin cytoskeleton, with vinculin functioning as a sensor.