Non-muscle myosin 2 at a glance.

Non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) motors are the major contractile machines in most cell types. Unsurprisingly, these ubiquitously expressed actin-based motors power a plethora of subcellular, cellular and multicellular processes. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we review the biochemical properties and mechanisms of regulation of this myosin. We highlight the central role of NM2 in multiple fundamental cellular processes, which include cell migration, cytokinesis, epithelial barrier function and tissue morphogenesis. In addition, we highlight recent studies using advanced imaging technologies that have revealed aspects of NM2 assembly hitherto inaccessible. This article will hopefully appeal to both cytoskeletal enthusiasts and investigators from outside the cytoskeleton field who have interests in one of the many basic cellular processes requiring actomyosin force production.

Limiting pool and actin architecture controls myosin cluster sizes in adherent cells.

The actomyosin cytoskeleton generates mechanical forces that power important cellular processes, such as cell migration, cell division, and mechanosensing. Actomyosin self-assembles into contractile networks and bundles that underlie force generation and transmission in cells. A central step is the assembly of the myosin II filament from myosin monomers, regulation of which has been extensively studied. However, myosin filaments are almost always found as clusters within the cell cortex. While recent studies characterized cluster nucleation dynamics at the cell periphery, how myosin clusters grow on stress fibers remains poorly characterized. Here, we utilize a U2OS osteosarcoma cell line with endogenously tagged myosin II to measure the myosin cluster size distribution in the lamella of adherent cells. We find that myosin clusters can grow with Rho-kinase (ROCK) activity alone in the absence of myosin motor activity. Time-lapse imaging reveals that myosin clusters grow via increased myosin association to existing clusters, which is potentiated by ROCK-dependent myosin filament assembly. Enabling myosin motor activity allows further myosin cluster growth through myosin association that is dependent on F-actin architecture. Using a toy model, we show that myosin self-affinity is sufficient to recapitulate the experimentally observed myosin cluster size distribution, and that myosin cluster sizes are determined by the pool of myosin available for cluster growth. Together, our findings provide new insights into the regulation of myosin cluster sizes within the lamellar actomyosin cytoskeleton.

Nonmuscle myosin 2 filaments are processive in cells.

Directed transport of cellular components is often dependent on the processive movements of cytoskeletal motors. Myosin 2 motors predominantly engage actin filaments of opposing orientation to drive contractile events and are therefore not traditionally viewed as processive. However, recent in vitro experiments with purified nonmuscle myosin 2 (NM2) demonstrated myosin 2 filaments could move processively. Here, we establish processivity as a cellular property of NM2. Processive runs in central nervous system-derived CAD cells are most apparent on bundled actin in protrusions that terminate at the leading edge. We find that processive velocities in vivo are consistent with in vitro measurements. NM2 makes these processive runs in its filamentous form against lamellipodia retrograde flow, though anterograde movement can still occur in the absence of actin dynamics. Comparing the processivity of NM2 isoforms, we find that NM2A moves slightly faster than NM2B. Finally, we demonstrate that this is not a cell-specific property, as we observe processive-like movements of NM2 in the lamella and subnuclear stress fibers of fibroblasts. Collectively, these observations further broaden NM2 functionality and the biological processes in which the already ubiquitous motor can contribute.

Inhibitory and stimulatory micropeptides preferentially bind to different conformations of the cardiac calcium pump.

The ATP-dependent ion pump sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) sequesters Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum to establish a reservoir for cell signaling. Because of its central importance in physiology, the activity of this transporter is tightly controlled via direct interactions with tissue-specific regulatory micropeptides that tune SERCA function to match changing physiological conditions. In the heart, the micropeptide phospholamban (PLB) inhibits SERCA, while dwarf open reading frame (DWORF) stimulates SERCA. These competing interactions determine cardiac performance by modulating the amplitude of Ca2+ signals that drive the contraction/relaxation cycle. We hypothesized that the functions of these peptides may relate to their reciprocal preferences for SERCA binding; SERCA binds PLB more avidly at low cytoplasmic [Ca2+] but binds DWORF better when [Ca2+] is high. In the present study, we demonstrated this opposing Ca2+ sensitivity is due to preferential binding of DWORF and PLB to different intermediate states that SERCA samples during the Ca2+ transport cycle. We show PLB binds best to the SERCA E1-ATP state, which prevails at low [Ca2+]. In contrast, DWORF binds most avidly to E1P and E2P states that are more populated when Ca2+ is elevated. Moreover, FRET microscopy revealed dynamic shifts in SERCA-micropeptide binding equilibria during cellular Ca2+ elevations. A computational model showed that DWORF exaggerates changes in PLB-SERCA binding during the cardiac cycle. These results suggest a mechanistic basis for inhibitory versus stimulatory micropeptide function, as well as a new role for DWORF as a modulator of dynamic oscillations of PLB-SERCA regulatory interactions.

Myosin IIA Heavy Chain Phosphorylation Mediates Adhesion Maturation and Protrusion in Three Dimensions.

Non-muscle myosin II (NMII) is a conserved force-producing cytoskeletal enzyme with important but poorly understood roles in cell migration. To investigate myosin heavy chain (MHC) phosphorylation roles in 3D migration, we expressed GFP-tagged NMIIA wild-type or mutant constructs in cells depleted of endogenous NMIIA protein. We find that individual mutation or double mutation of Ser-1916 or Ser-1943 to alanine potently blocks recruitment of GFP-NM-IIA filaments to leading edge protrusions in 2D, and this in turn blocks maturation of anterior focal adhesions. When placed in 3D collagen gels, cells expressing wild-type GFP MHC-IIA behave like parental cells, displaying robust and active formation and retraction of protrusions. However, cells depleted of NMIIA or cells expressing the mutant GFP MHC-IIA display severe defects in invasion and in stabilizing protrusions in 3D. These studies reveal an NMIIA-specific role in 3D invasion that requires competence for NMIIA phosphorylation at Ser-1916 and Ser-1943. In sum, these results demonstrate a critical and previously unrecognized role for NMIIA phosphorylation in 3D invasion.

Transforming Growth Factor-ß Is an Upstream Regulator of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 2-Dependent Bladder Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion.

Our prior work identified the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) as a key regulator of bladder cancer cell migration and invasion, although upstream growth factor mediators of this pathway in bladder cancer have not been well delineated. We tested whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, which can function as a promotility factor in bladder cancer cells, could regulate mTORC2-dependent bladder cancer cell motility and invasion. In human bladder cancers, the highest levels of phosphorylated SMAD2, a TGF-ß signaling intermediate, were present in high-grade invasive bladder cancers and associated with more frequent recurrence and decreased disease-specific survival. Increased expression of TGF-ß isoforms, receptors, and signaling components was detected in invasive high-grade bladder cancer cells that expressed Vimentin and lacked E-cadherin. Application of TGF-ß induced phosphorylation of the Ser473 residue of AKT, a selective target of mTORC2, in a SMAD2- and SMAD4-independent manner and increased bladder cancer cell migration in a modified scratch wound assay and invasion through Matrigel. Inhibition of TGF-ß receptor I using SB431542 ablated TGF-ß-induced migration and invasion. A similar effect was seen when Rictor, a key mTORC2 component, was selectively silenced. Our results suggest that TGF-ß can induce bladder cancer cell invasion via mTORC2 signaling, which may be applicable in most bladder cancers.

Myosin II isoform co-assembly and differential regulation in mammalian systems.

Non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) is a major force-producing, actin-based motor in mammalian non-muscle cells, where it plays important roles in a broad range of fundamental biological processes, including cytokinesis, cell migration, and epithelial barrier function. This breadth of function at the tissue and cellular levels suggests extensive diversity and differential regulation of NM2 bipolar filaments, the major, if not sole, functional form of NM2s in vivo. Previous in vitro, cellular and animal studies indicate that some of this diversity is supported by the existence of multiple NM2 isoforms. Moreover, two recent studies have shown that these isoforms can co-assemble to form heterotypic filaments, further expanding functional diversity. In addition to isoform co-assembly, cells may differentially regulate NM2 function via isoform-specific expression, RLC phosphorylation, MHC phosphorylation or regulation via binding partners. Here, we provide a brief summary of NM2 filament assembly, summarize the recent findings regarding NM2 isoform co-assembly, consider the mechanisms cells might utilize to differentially regulate NM2 isoforms, and review the data available to support these mechanisms.

Myosin II isoform switching mediates invasiveness after TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Despite functional significance of nonmuscle myosin II in cell migration and invasion, its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or TGF-ß signaling is unknown. Analysis of normal mammary gland expression revealed that myosin IIC is expressed in luminal cells, whereas myosin IIB expression is up-regulated in myoepithelial cells that have more mesenchymal characteristics. Furthermore, TGF-ß induction of EMT in nontransformed murine mammary gland epithelial cells results in an isoform switch from myosin IIC to myosin IIB and increased phosphorylation of myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIA on target sites known to regulate filament dynamics (S1916, S1943). These expression and phosphorylation changes are downstream of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-E1 (E1), an effector of TGF-ß signaling. E1 knockdown drives cells into a migratory, invasive mesenchymal state and concomitantly up-regulates MHC IIB expression and MHC IIA phosphorylation. Abrogation of myosin IIB expression in the E1 knockdown cells has no effect on 2D migration but significantly reduced transmigration and macrophage-stimulated collagen invasion. These studies indicate that transition between myosin IIC/myosin IIB expression is a critical feature of EMT that contributes to increases in invasive behavior.

The PCM scaffold enables RNA localization to centrosomes.

As microtubule-organizing centers, centrosomes direct assembly of the bipolar mitotic spindle required for chromosome segregation and genome stability. Centrosome activity requires the dynamic assembly of pericentriolar material (PCM), the composition and organization of which changes throughout the cell cycle. Recent studies highlight the conserved localization of several mRNAs encoded from centrosome-associated genes enriched at centrosomes, including Pericentrin-like protein (Plp) mRNA. However, relatively little is known about how RNAs localize to centrosomes and influence centrosome function. Here, we examine mechanisms underlying the subcellular localization of Plp mRNA. We find that Plp mRNA localization is puromycin-sensitive, and the Plp coding sequence is both necessary and sufficient for RNA localization, consistent with a co-translational transport mechanism. We identify regions within the Plp coding sequence that regulate Plp mRNA localization. Finally, we show that protein-protein interactions critical for elaboration of the PCM scaffold permit RNA localization to centrosomes. Taken together, these findings inform the mechanistic basis of Plp mRNA localization and lend insight into the oscillatory enrichment of RNA at centrosomes.

Non-muscle myosin 2 can incorporate into established filaments in cells without an assembly competence domain.

Myosin 2 dynamically assembles into filaments that exert force on the actin cytoskeleton. To form filaments, myosin 2 monomers transition between folded and unfolded states. Monomer unfolding exposes an extended coiled-coil that interacts with other monomers in parallel and antiparallel fashions, enabling bipolar filament formation. A C-terminal domain of the coiled-coil, termed assembly competence domain (ACD), has been repeatedly identified as necessary for filament assembly. Here, we revisit ACD contribution when full-length filaments are present. Non-muscle myosin 2A lacking the ACD (ΔACD) initially appears diffuse, but triton extraction of cytosolic fraction reveals cytoskeletal association. Disruption of the folded monomer enhances the cytoskeletal fraction, while inhibition of endogenous filament assembly appears to reduce it. Finally, high resolution imaging of endogenous and exogenous bipolar filamentous structures reveals highly coincident signal, suggesting ΔACD constructs co-assemble with endogenous myosin 2A filaments. Our data demonstrate that while the ACD is required for de novo filament assembly, it is not required for monomers to recognize and associate with established filaments in cells. More broadly, this highlights the existence of distinct mechanisms governing myosin 2 monomer assembly into nascent filaments, and monomer recognition and association with established filaments to maintain steady-state contractile networks.

Local monomer levels and established filaments potentiate non-muscle myosin 2 assembly.

The ability to dynamically assemble contractile networks is required throughout cell physiology, yet direct biophysical mechanisms regulating non-muscle myosin 2 filament assembly in living cells are lacking. Here, we use a suite of dynamic, quantitative imaging approaches to identify deterministic factors that drive myosin filament appearance and amplification. We find that actin dynamics regulate myosin assembly, but that the static actin architecture plays a less clear role. Instead, remodeling of actin networks modulates the local myosin monomer levels and facilitates assembly through myosin:myosin-driven interactions. Using optogenetically controlled myosin, we demonstrate that locally concentrating myosin is sufficient to both form filaments and jump-start filament amplification and partitioning. By counting myosin monomers within filaments, we demonstrate a myosin-facilitated assembly process that establishes filament stacks prior to partitioning into clusters that feed higher-order networks. Together, these findings establish the biophysical mechanisms regulating the assembly of non-muscle contractile structures that are ubiquitous throughout cell biology.

Shining a light on RhoA: Optical control of cell contractility.

In addition to biochemical and electrochemical signaling, cells also rely extensively on mechanical signaling to regulate their behavior. While a number of tools have been adapted from physics and engineering to manipulate cell mechanics, they typically require specialized equipment or lack spatiotemporal precision. Alternatively, a recent, more elegant approach is to use light itself to modulate the mechanical equilibrium inside the cell. This approach leverages the power of optogenetics, which can be controlled in a fully reversible manner in both time and space, to tune RhoA signaling, the master regulator of cellular contractility. We review here the fundamentals of this approach, including illustrating the tunability and flexibility that optogenetics offers, and demonstrate how this tool can be used to modulate both internal cytoskeletal flows and contractile force generation. Together these features highlight the advantages that optogenetics offers for investigating mechanical interactions in cells.

Limiting Pool and Actin Architecture Controls Myosin Cluster Sizes in Adherent Cells.

The actomyosin cytoskeleton generates mechanical forces that power important cellular processes, such as cell migration, cell division, and mechanosensing. Actomyosin self-assembles into contractile networks and bundles that underlie force generation and transmission in cells. A central step is the assembly of the myosin II filament from myosin monomers, regulation of which has been extensively studied. However, myosin filaments are almost always found as clusters within the cell cortex. While recent studies characterized cluster nucleation dynamics at the cell periphery, how myosin clusters grow on stress fibers remains poorly characterized. Here, we utilize a U2OS osteosarcoma cell line with endogenously tagged myosin II to measure the myosin cluster size distribution in the lamella of adherent cells. We find that myosin clusters can grow with Rho-kinase (ROCK) activity alone in the absence of myosin motor activity. Time-lapse imaging reveals that myosin clusters grow via increased myosin association to existing clusters, which is potentiated by ROCK-dependent myosin filament assembly. Enabling myosin motor activity allows further myosin cluster growth through myosin association that is dependent on F-actin architecture. Using a toy model, we show that myosin self-affinity is sufficient to recapitulate the experimentally observed myosin cluster size distribution, and that myosin cluster sizes are determined by the pool of myosin available for cluster growth. Together, our findings provide new insights into the regulation of myosin cluster sizes within the lamellar actomyosin cytoskeleton.

Non-muscle myosin 2 filaments are processive in cells.

Directed transport of cellular components is often dependent on the processive movements of cytoskeletal motors. Myosin 2 motors predominantly engage actin filaments of opposing orientation to drive contractile events, and are therefore not traditionally viewed as processive. However, recent in vitro experiments with purified non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) demonstrated myosin 2 filaments could move processively. Here, we establish processivity as a cellular property of NM2. Processive runs in central nervous system-derived CAD cells are most apparent as processive movements on bundled actin in protrusions that terminate at the leading edge. We find that processive velocities in vivo are consistent with in vitro measurements. NM2 makes these processive runs in its filamentous form against lamellipodia retrograde flow, though anterograde movement can still occur in the absence of actin dynamics. Comparing the processivity of NM2 isoforms, we find that NM2A moves slightly faster than NM2B. Finally, we demonstrate that this is not a cell-specific property, as we observe processive-like movements of NM2 in the lamella and subnuclear stress fibers of fibroblasts. Collectively, these observations further broaden NM2 functionality and the biological processes in which the already ubiquitous motor can contribute.

Local Monomer Levels and Established Filaments Potentiate Non-Muscle Myosin 2 Assembly.

The ability to dynamically assemble contractile networks is required throughout cell physiology, yet the biophysical mechanisms regulating non-muscle myosin 2 filament assembly in living cells are lacking. Here we use a suite of dynamic, quantitative imaging approaches to identify deterministic factors that drive myosin filament appearance and amplification. We find that actin dynamics regulate myosin assembly, but that the actin architecture plays a minimal direct role. Instead, remodeling of actin networks modulates the local myosin monomer levels and facilitates assembly through myosin:myosin driven interactions. Using optogenetically controlled myosin, we demonstrate that locally concentrating myosin is sufficient to both form filaments and jump-start filament amplification and partitioning. By counting myosin monomers within filaments, we demonstrate a myosin-facilitated assembly process that establishes sub-resolution filament stacks prior to partitioning into clusters that feed higher-order networks. Together these findings establish the biophysical mechanisms regulating the assembly of non-muscle contractile structures that are ubiquitous throughout cell biology.

Analysis of the role of Ser1/Ser2/Thr9 phosphorylation on myosin II assembly and function in live cells.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorylation of non-muscle myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC) at Thr18/Ser19 is well established as a key regulatory event that controls myosin II assembly and activation, both in vitro and in living cells. RLC can also be phosphorylated at Ser1/Ser2/Thr9 by protein kinase C (PKC). Biophysical studies show that phosphorylation at these sites leads to an increase in the Km of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) for RLC, thereby indirectly inhibiting myosin II activity. Despite unequivocal evidence that PKC phosphorylation at Ser1/Ser2/Thr9 can regulate myosin II function in vitro, there is little evidence that this mechanism regulates myosin II function in live cells. RESULTS: The purpose of these studies was to investigate the role of Ser1/Ser2/Thr9 phosphorylation in live cells. To do this we utilized phospho-specific antibodies and created GFP-tagged RLC reporters with phosphomimetic aspartic acid substitutions or unphosphorylatable alanine substitutions at the putative inhibitory sites or the previously characterized activation sites. Cell lines stably expressing the RLC-GFP constructs were assayed for myosin recruitment during cell division, the ability to complete cell division, and myosin assembly levels under resting or spreading conditions. Our data shows that manipulation of the activation sites (Thr18/Ser19) significantly alters myosin II function in a number of these assays while manipulation of the putative inhibitory sites (Ser1/Ser2/Thr9) does not. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that inhibitory phosphorylation of RLC is not a substantial regulatory mechanism, although we cannot rule out its role in other cellular processes or perhaps other types of cells or tissues in vivo.

Novel regulation and dynamics of myosin II activation during epidermal wound responses.

Wound healing in the skin is an important and complex process that involves 3-dimensional tissue reorganization, including matrix and chemokine-triggered cell migration, paracrine signaling, and matrix remodeling. The molecular signals and underlying mechanisms that stimulate myosin II activity during skin wound healing have not been elucidated. To begin understanding the signaling pathways involved in the activation of myosin II in this process, we have evaluated myosin II activation in migrating primary human keratinocytes in response to scratch wounding in vitro. We report here that myosin II activation and recruitment to the cytoskeleton in wounded keratinocytes are biphasic. Post-wounding, a rapid phosphorylation of myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC) occurs with resultant translocation of myosin IIA to the cell cortex, far in advance of the later polarization and cell migration. During this acute-phase of myosin II activation, pharmacological approaches reveal p38-MAP kinase and cytosolic calcium as having critical roles in the phosphorylation driving cytoskeletal assembly. Although p38-MAPK has known roles in keratinocyte migration, and known roles in leading-edge focal complex dynamics, to our knowledge this is the first report of p38-MAPK acting as an upstream activator of myosin II phosphorylation and assembly during any type of wound response.

Targeting EphA2 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma initiation and progression by dual inhibition of JAK1/STAT3 and AKT signaling.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. One major obstacle to treatment is a lack of effective molecular-targeted therapies. In this study, we find that EphA2 expression and signaling are enriched in human HCC and associated with poor prognosis. Loss of EphA2 suppresses the initiation and growth of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CRISPR/CAS9-mediated EphA2 inhibition significantly delays tumor development in a genetically engineered murine model of HCC. Mechanistically, we discover that targeting EphA2 suppresses both AKT and JAK1/STAT3 signaling, two separate oncogenic pathways in HCC. We also identify a small molecule kinase inhibitor of EphA2 that suppresses tumor progression in a murine HCC model. Together, our results suggest EphA2 as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.

Myosin II recruitment during cytokinesis independent of centralspindlin-mediated phosphorylation.

During cell division, the mechanisms by which myosin II is recruited to the contractile ring are not fully understood. Much recent work has focused on a model in which spatially restricted de novo filament assembly occurs at the cell equator via localized myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation, stimulated by the RhoA-activating centralspindlin complex. Here, we show that a recombinant myosin IIA protein that assembles constitutively and is incapable of binding RLC still displays strong localization to the furrow in mammalian cells. Furthermore, this RLC-deficient myosin II efficiently drives cytokinesis, demonstrating that centralspindlin-based RLC phosphorylation is not necessary for myosin II localization during furrowing. Myosin II truncation analysis further reveals two distinct myosin II tail properties that contribute to furrow localization: a central tail domain mediating cortical furrow binding to heterologous binding partners and a carboxyl-terminal region mediating co-assembly with existing furrow myosin IIA or IIB filaments.

Conditional Myh9 and Myh10 inactivation in adult mouse renal epithelium results in progressive kidney disease.

Actin-associated nonmuscle myosin II (NM2) motor proteins play critical roles in a myriad of cellular functions, including endocytosis and organelle transport pathways. Cell type-specific expression and unique subcellular localization of the NM2 proteins, encoded by the Myh9 and Myh10 genes, in the mouse kidney tubules led us to hypothesize that these proteins have specialized functional roles within the renal epithelium. Inducible conditional knockout (cKO) of Myh9 and Myh10 in the renal tubules of adult mice resulted in progressive kidney disease. Prior to overt renal tubular injury, we observed intracellular accumulation of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein uromodulin (UMOD) and gradual loss of Na+ K+ 2Cl- cotransporter from the apical membrane of the thick ascending limb epithelia. The UMOD accumulation coincided with expansion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules and activation of ER stress and unfolded protein response pathways in Myh9&10-cKO kidneys. We conclude that NM2 proteins are required for localization and transport of UMOD and loss of function results in accumulation of UMOD and ER stress-mediated progressive renal tubulointerstitial disease. These observations establish cell type-specific role(s) for NM2 proteins in regulation of specialized renal epithelial transport pathways and reveal the possibility that human kidney disease associated with MYH9 mutations could be of renal epithelial origin.