Disassembly Kinetics Research Articles

Assembly and Disassembly Kinetics of Anthrax Toxin Complexes

Proteolytic activation of the protective antigen (PA) component of anthrax toxin allows it to self-associate into a ring-shaped homoheptamer, [PA(63)](7), which can bind the enzymatic components lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). [PA(63)](7) is a pore-precursor (prepore), and under the low-pH conditions of the endosome, it forms a transmembrane pore that allows LF and EF to enter the cytosol. PA was labeled with donor and acceptor fluorescent dyes, and Förster resonance energy transfer was used to measure the assembly and disassembly kinetics of the prepore complex in solution. The dissociation rate constant for [PA(63)](7) was 1 x 10(-)(6) s(-)(1) (t(1/2) approximately 7 days). In contrast, a ternary complex containing the PA-binding domain of LF (LF(N)) bound to a PA(63) dimer composed of two nonoligomerizing mutants dissociated rapidly (t(1/2) approximately 1 min). Thus, the substantial decrease in the rate of disassembly of [PA(63)](7) relative to the ternary complex is due to the cooperative interactions among neighboring subunits in the heptameric ring. Low concentrations of LF(N) promoted assembly of the prepore from proteolytically activated PA, whereas high concentrations inhibited assembly of both the prepore and the ternary complex. A self-assembly scheme of anthrax toxin complexes is proposed.

Three distinct kinetic groupings of the synaptotagmin family: candidate sensors for rapid and delayed exocytosis.

Synaptotagmins (syts) are a family of membrane proteins present on a variety of intracellular organelles. In vertebrates, 16 isoforms of syt have been identified. The most abundant isoform, syt I, appears to function as a Ca2+ sensor that triggers the rapid exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from neurons. The functions of the remaining syt isoforms are less well understood. The cytoplasmic domain of syt I binds membranes in response to Ca2+, and this interaction has been proposed to play a key role in secretion. Here, we tested the Ca(2+)-triggered membrane-binding activity of the cytoplasmic domains of syts I-XII; eight isoforms tightly bound to liposomes that contained phosphatidylserine as a function of the concentration of Ca2+. We then compared the disassembly kinetics of Ca2+.syt.membrane complexes upon rapid mixing with excess Ca2+ chelator and found that syts can be classified into three distinct kinetic groups. syts I, II, and III constitute the fast group; syts V, VI, IX, and X make up the medium group; and syt VII exhibits the slowest kinetics of disassembly. Thus, isoforms of syt, which have much slower disassembly kinetics than does syt I, might function as Ca2+ sensors for asynchronous release, which occurs after Ca2+ domains have collapsed. We also compared the temperature dependence of Ca2+.syt.membrane assembly and disassembly reactions by using squid and rat syt I. These results indicate that syts have diverged to release Ca2+ and membranes with distinct kinetics.

Dissection of COPII subunit-cargo assembly and disassembly kinetics during Sar1p-GTP hydrolysis

COPII coat proteins are required for direct capture of cargo and SNARE proteins into transport vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Cargo and SNARE capture occurs during the formation of a 'prebudding complex' comprising a cargo, Sar1p-GTP and the COPII subunits Sec23/24p. The assembly and disassembly cycle of the prebudding complex on ER membranes is coupled to the Sar1p GTPase cycle. Using FRET to monitor a single round of Sec23/24p binding and dissociation from SNAREs in reconstituted liposomes, we show that Sec23/24p dissociates from v-SNARE and complexed t-SNARE with kinetics slower than Sar1p-GTP hydrolysis. Once Sec23/24p becomes associated with v-SNARE or complexed t-SNARE, the complex remains assembled during multiple rounds of Sar1p-GTP hydrolysis mediated by the GDP-GTP exchange factor Sec12p. These data suggest a model for the maintenance of kinetically stable prebudding complexes during the Sar1p GTPase cycle that regulates cargo sorting into transport vesicles.

Cytoskeletal organization of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) changes during their osteogenic differentiation

Human MSCs have been studied to define the mechanisms involved in normal bone remodeling and the regulation of osteogenesis. During osteogenic differentiation, MSCs change from their characteristic fibroblast-like phenotype to near spherical shape. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between the organization of cytoskeleton of MSCs, changes in cell morphology, and the expression of specific markers (alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition) of osteogenic differentiation. For osteoblastic differentiation, cells were cultured in a culture medium supplemented with 100 nM dexamethasone, 10 mM beta- glycerophosphate, and 50 microg/ml ascorbic acid. The organization of microfilaments and microtubules was examined by inmunofluorescence using Alexa fluor 594 phalloidin and anti alpha-tubulin monoclonal antibody. Cytochalasin D and nocodazole were used to alter reversibly the cytoskeleton dynamic. A remarkable change in cytoskeleton organization was observed in human MSCs during osteogenic differentiation. Actin cytoskeleton changed from a large number of thin, parallel microfilament bundles extending across the entire cytoplasm in undifferentiated MSCs to a few thick actin filament bundles located at the outermost periphery in differentiated cells. Under osteogenic culture conditions, a reversible reorganization of microfilaments induced by an initial treatment with cytochalasin D but not with nocodazole reduced the expression of differentiation markers, without affecting the final morphology of the cells. The results indicate that changes in the assembly and disassembly kinetics of microfilaments dynamic of actin network formation may be critical in supporting the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs; also indicated that the organization of microtubules appears to have a regulatory role on the kinetic of this process.

Computational Analysis of F-Actin Turnover in Cortical Actin Meshworks Using Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy

Fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM) is a new imaging technique with the potential for simultaneous visualization of translocation and dynamic turnover of polymer structures. However, the use of FSM has been limited by the lack of specialized software for analysis of the positional and photometric fluctuations of hundreds of thousand speckles in an FSM time-lapse series, and for translating this data into biologically relevant information. In this paper we present a first version of a software for automated analysis of FSM movies. We focus on mapping the assembly and disassembly kinetics of a polymer meshwork. As a model system we have employed cortical F-actin meshworks in live newt lung epithelial cells. We lay out the algorithm in detail and present results of our analysis. The high spatial and temporal resolution of our maps reveals a kinetic cycling of F-actin, where phases of polymerization alternate with depolymerization in a spatially coordinated fashion. The cycle rates change when treating cells with a low dose of the drug latrunculin A. This shows the potential of this technique for future quantitative screening of drugs affecting the actin cytoskeleton. Various control experiments demonstrate that the algorithm is robust with respect to intensity variations due to noise and photobleaching and that effects of focus plane drifts can be eliminated by manual refocusing during image acquisition.

Purification of yeast actin and actin-associated proteins

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the purification of actin and actin-associated proteins from yeast and presents updated methods for isolating yeast actin and actin-associated proteins that may facilitate the biochemical analyses of the yeast actin cytoskeleton. It also presents a detailed outline of the DNase I affinity method for purifying yeast actin. This method is based on the reconstitution of actin assembly in soluble yeast extracts and allows a one-step isolation of a semi-intact actin cytoskeleton. Some of the most common uses for purified yeast actin are (1) testing the ability of a protein to cosediment with filamentous actin, (2) testing the effects of an actin-binding protein on actin assembly and/or actin disassembly kinetics, (3) determining the structures and/or activities of mutant actins. Using additional chromatography steps, various components can be isolated, providing the opportunity to study the activities of native actin-associated proteins from wild-type and mutant strains.

Temperature-jump studies of microtubule dynamic instability.

Evidence for a slowly dissociating tubulin-GTP cap at microtubule ends was derived from observation of a delay for attaining a maximum disassembly rate, after the temperature of steady state microtubules was rapidly decreased from 36 to 34 degrees C. The possibility that the microtubules were capped by a single tubulin-GTP subunit on each subhelix was ruled out, by comparison of the disassembly kinetics following a temperature decrease and dilution. The existence of a subpopulation of microtubules that underwent irreversible or near irreversible disassembly was demonstrated by a 30-s lag for attainment of a maximum assembly rate, after steady state microtubules were shifted from 34 to 36 degrees C. A dynamic instability model predicts that a maximum assembly rate will be delayed until disappearance of a subpopulation of microtubules that disassemble before being recapped. Analysis indicates that the 30-s lag resulted because approximately 2% of the mass in the steady state microtubule population was uncapped and disassembling and not readily recapped. The half-time for recapping of disassembling microtubules, by addition of tubulin-GTP subunits to ends, was equal to or greater than 20 s. Since tubulin-GDP dissociated from microtubules at a rate of about 4500 s-1, slow recapping resulted in dramatic shortening of disassembling microtubules.

Lamin disassembly kinetics: A cell-free system with extracts from mitotic HeLa cells

We describe a cell-free system in which a postribosomal supernatant from metaphase HeLa cells induces prophase-like changes in permeabilized HeLa cell populations as evidenced by the nuclear lamin disassembly and chromatin condensation. We have attempted to characterize the cell-free system with permeabilized HeLa cells. First, by extracting lamins with agents known to disrupt the noncovalent interactions in the supramolecular lamin aggregate in interphase using polyclonal and a newly established monoclonal anti-lamin Ab 2E3, uniform extraction of lamins was achieved with urea and deoxycholate whereas the cation Mg 2+ and 2-mercaptoethanol had little effect on the disassembly of interphase lamins. Second, cytoplasmic extract from mitotic HeLa cells, synchronized by a nitrous oxide metaphase arrest, was tested. It had a differential effect on interphase lamin depolymerization. Nuclei in G 1 phase of the cell cycle were more resistant against the mitotic extracts than cells in S and G 2 phase. The results are discussed in terms of a possible inactivation of mitotic extracts by factors present in nuclei in early interphase.

Microtubule dynamics in the spindle. Theoretical aspects of assembly/disassembly reactions in vivo

The mitotic spindle contains several classes of microtubules (MTs) whose lengths change independently during mitosis. Precise control over MT polymerization and depolymerization during spindle formation, anaphase chromosome movements, and spindle breakdown is necessary for successful cell division. This model proposes the site of addition and removal of MT subunits in each of four classes of spindle MTs at different stages of mitosis, and suggests how this addition and removal is controlled. We propose that spindle poles and kinetochores significantly alter the assembly-disassembly kinetics of associated MT ends. Control of MT length is further modulated by localized forces affecting assembly and disassembly kinetics of individual sets of MTs.

Disassembly kinetics of thick filaments in rabbit skeletal muscle fibers. Effects of ionic strength, Ca2+ concentration, pH, temperature, and cross-bridges on the stability of thick filament structure

The kinetics of dissociation from both ends of thick filaments in a muscle fiber was investigated by an optical diffraction method. The dissociation velocity of thick filaments at a sarcomere length of 2.75 microns increased with increasing the KCl concentration (from 60 mM to 0.5 M), increasing the pH value (from 6.2 to 8.0) or decreasing the temperature (from 25 to 5 degrees C) in the presence of 10 mM pyrophosphate and 5 mM MgCl2. Micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ suppressed the dissociation velocity markedly at shorter sarcomere lengths. The dissociation velocity, v, decreased as thick filaments became shorter, and v = -db/dt = vo exp (alpha b), where b is the length of the thick filament at time t and vo and alpha are constants. The vo value was largely dependent on the KCl concentration but the alpha value was not. The stiffness of a muscle fiber decreased nearly in proportion to the decrease of overlap between thick and thin filaments induced by the dissociation of thick filaments. This indicates that cross-bridges are uniformly distributed and contribute independently to the stiffness of a muscle fiber during the dissociation of thick filaments.

On the nonlinear relationship between the initial rates of dilution-induced microtubule disassembly and the initial free subunit concentration.

We have examined the dilution-induced in vitro disassembly kinetics of bovine brain microtubules, initially at steady state, using a wider range of dilutions (2-100-fold) than previously employed. In contrast to earlier results, as well as to the simple nucleation-condensation model for microtubule formation, the initial rate of dimer loss from microtubule ends was not a linear function of the initial concentration of unpolymerized tubulin. Over a 2-20-fold dilution range, plots of the initial rate of dimer loss versus the initial unpolymerized tubulin concentration were approximately linear. However, at greater dilutions, rates of microtubule depolymerization increased nonlinearly. For example, between a 10-fold dilution and a 100-fold dilution, the initial rate of dimer loss for microtubule-associated protein-containing microtubules increased by 300%, rather than a maximum of 11% expected on the basis of a linear rate plot. The nonlinear response was observed for dimer loss from opposite microtubule ends separately and with microtubules containing and lacking associated proteins. Qualitatively similar results were obtained using a wide range of experimental protocols, from which we can reasonably exclude methodological artifact as a basis for the data. We can also reasonably exclude the dissociation of the high molecular weight microtubule-associated proteins 1 and 2 from the microtubules as an explanation for the nonlinearity of the rate plots. The nonlinearity of the rate plots indicates that kinetic constants obtained under nonsteady state conditions of extreme microtubule dilution may not describe the steady state condition accurately.

Turbidimetric studies of the in vitro assembly and disassembly of porcine neurotubules

Turbidity measurements have been used to study the in vitro assembly and disassembly of porcine neurotubules. All measurements were carried out with tubulin with a purity higher than 80%. Tubules formed by in vitro assembly of this protein are so long that the turbidity is insensitive to length and is a function only of the total mass of high molecular weight material. Porcine tubulin shows a critical concentration for assembly of about 0.2 mg/ml under optimal conditions, pH 6.6, 0.1m-2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonic acid, 26 to 37 °C. Under these conditions assembly and disassembly are essentially fully reversible in the presence of excess GTP. The kinetics of assembly show an initial lag and initial rates which are strongly temperature dependent. Our samples show a concentration dependence of no more than second order. The apparent activation enthalpy of assembly is 25 kcal/mol; the apparent reaction enthalpy of assembly for the chain propagation step is 21 kcal/mol. Disassembly kinetics show an apparent negative activation enthalpy of −28 kcal/mol. They are independent of tubule length implying a slow activation step followed by rapid depolymerization. At 20 °C, cycles of polymerization and depolymerization show hysteresis effects in the assembly kinetics though not in disassembly rates or final states. This is most easily explained by postulating a slow reversible inactivation at 4 °C of the initiation complex for tubule assembly. Conditions are reported for producing tubulin in a state which cannot assemble in aqueous buffer unless nucleotides are added. GTP, ATP and ADP, but not GDP, are effective in promoting tubule assembly. An adenylate kinase impurity in our preparation may be the cause of this unusual effect. Whether or not it is actually associated with tubulin or tubules is unknown.