Abstract
Polymerization of monomeric actin into filaments has pivotal roles in cell motility, growth, differentiation, and gene expression. Therefore, techniques of manipulating actin polymerization, including actin-binding chemicals, have been developed for understanding and regulating multiple biological functions. Here, we demonstrate that irradiation with terahertz (THz) waves is a novel method of modulating actin polymerization. When actin polymerization reaction is performed under irradiation with 0.46 THz waves generated by a Gyrotron, actin polymerization was observed to be activated by monitoring the fluorescence of pyrene actin fluorophores. We also observed the number of actin filaments under a fluorescence microscope using the polymerized actin probe SiR-actin. The number of actin filaments was increased by 3.5-fold after THz irradiation for 20 min. When the THz irradiation was applied to a steady-state actin solution, in which elongation and depolymerization of actin filaments were equilibrated, increased actin polymerization was observed, suggesting that the THz irradiation activates actin polymerization, at least in the elongation process. These results suggest that THz waves could be applied for manipulating biomolecules and cells.
Highlights
The recent development of high-power THz sources enables novel scientific experiments in various fields[1]
These studies indicated the safety of THz irradiation, some reports suggest that high-power THz waves cause adverse effects
Actin polymerization is regulated by various actin binding proteins (ABPs) and actin-related proteins (Arps) in living cells[21,22]
Summary
The recent development of high-power THz sources enables novel scientific experiments in various fields[1]. It was previously reported that THz waves do not induce direct chromosomal damage or alter cell cycle kinetics or skin cell proliferation[11,12,13]. These studies indicated the safety of THz irradiation, some reports suggest that high-power THz waves cause adverse effects. Actin polymerization can be reconstituted with purified G-actin[23], and the polymerization process of purified actin consists of three phases: nucleation, elongation, and steady state This in vitro actin polymerization reaction is suitable for analyzing the influence of THz waves on biomolecules. Our finding of the enhancement of actin polymerization by THz irradiation suggests a novel possibility of artificial manipulation of biomolecules and living cells using THz waves
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