F-actin Regulation Research Articles

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-rich plasma membrane patches organize active zones of endocytosis and ruffling in cultured adipocytes.

A major regulator of endocytosis and cortical F-actin is thought to be phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] present in plasma membranes. Here we report that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, clathrin-coated membrane retrieval and dense concentrations of polymerized actin occur in restricted zones of high endocytic activity. Ultrafast-acquisition and superresolution deconvolution microscopy of cultured adipocytes expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein- or enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP)-tagged phospholipase Cdelta1 (PLCdelta1) pleckstrin homology (PH) domain reveals that these zones spatially coincide with large-scale PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich plasma membrane patches (PRMPs). PRMPs exhibit lateral dimensions exceeding several micrometers, are relatively stationary, and display extensive local membrane folding that concentrates PtdIns(4,5)P2 in three-dimensional space. In addition, a higher concentration of PtdIns(4,5)P2 in the membranes of PRMPs than in other regions of the plasma membrane can be detected by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Vesicular structures containing both clathrin heavy chains and PtdIns(4,5)P2 are revealed immediately beneath PRMPs, as is dense F actin. Blockade of PtdIns(4,5)P2 function in PRMPs by high expression of the ECFP-tagged PLCdelta1 PH domain inhibits transferrin endocytosis and reduces the abundance of cortical F-actin. Membrane ruffles induced by the expression of unconventional myosin 1c were also found to localize at PRMPs. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PRMPs organize active PtdIns(4,5)P2 signaling zones in the adipocyte plasma membrane that in turn control regulators of endocytosis, actin dynamics, and membrane ruffling.

Regulation of F-actin and Endoplasmic Reticulum Organization by the Trimeric G-protein Gi2 in Rat Hepatocytes: IMPLICATION FOR THE ACTIVATION OF STORE-OPERATED Ca2+ INFLOW

The roles of the heterotrimeric G-protein, G(i2), in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and the activation of store-operated Ca(2+) channels in rat hepatocytes were investigated. Galpha(i2) was principally associated with the plasma membrane and microsomes. Both F-actin and Galpha(i2) were detected by Western blot analysis in a purified plasma membrane preparation, the supernatant and pellet obtained by treating the plasma membrane with Triton X-100, and after depolymerization and repolymerization of F-actin in the Triton X-100-insoluble pellet. Actin in the Triton X-100-soluble supernatant co-precipitated with Galpha(i2) using either anti-Galpha(i2) or anti-actin antibodies. The principally cortical location of F-actin in hepatocytes cultured for 0.5 h changed to a pericanalicular distribution over a further 3.5 h. Some Galpha(i2) co-localized with F-actin at the plasma membrane. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylated 70-80% of Galpha(i2) in the plasma membrane and microsomes, prevented the redistribution of F-actin, caused redistribution and fragmentation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and inhibited vasopressin-stimulated Ca(2+) inflow. It is concluded that (i) a significant portion of hepatocyte Galpha(i2) associates with, and regulates the arrangement of, cortical F-actin and the endoplasmic reticulum and (ii) either or both of these regulatory roles are likely to be required for normal vasopressin activation of Ca(2+) inflow.

Isoform specific expression of the neuronal F-actin binding protein, drebrin, in specialized cells of stomach and kidney epithelia.

To further understand the functional role that the F-actin binding protein, drebrin (developmentally regulated brain protein), plays in the regulation of F-actin, we characterized its expression in non-neuronal cells. Using nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry methods, we initially identified drebrin in non-neuronal cultured cells. Using a drebrin-specific monoclonal antibody, we were able to detect drebrin protein in several different cell lines derived from fibroblasts, astrocytomas, and simple epithelia, but not in cell lines derived from stratified epithelia. Double-label immunofluorescence experiments of cultured cell monolayers revealed the localization of drebrin at the apical plasma membrane together with a pool of submembranous F-actin. Immunoblot analysis of mouse organs revealed that, in addition to its high levels of expression in brain, drebrin was present in stomach and to a lesser degree in kidney, colon, and urinary bladder. Drebrin protein detected in the non-brain organs migrated faster through SDS-PAGE gels, indicating that the lower molecular weight embryonic brain isoform (E2) may be the prominent isoform in these organs. RT-PCR experiments confirmed the specific expression of the E2 isoform in adult stomach, kidney, and cultured cells. In situ immunofluorescence experiments revealed a cell-type specific pattern in both stomach and kidney. In stomach, drebrin was specifically expressed in the acid-secreting parietal cells of the fundic glands, where it accumulated at the extended apical membrane of the canaliculi. In kidney, drebrin was expressed in acid-secreting type A intercalated cells, where it localized specifically to the apical plasma membrane. Drebrin was expressed as well in the distal tubule epithelial cells where the protein was concentrated at the luminal surface and present at the interdigitations of the basolateral membranes.

Regulation and drug insensitivity of f‐actin association with adhesion areas of transformed cells

F-actin aggregates have been found near the substrate attachments in a variety of transformed cells (Carley et al., 1981). Interference reflection microscopy shows that these aggregates are present in central close adhesion areas in Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed rat kidney cells. If these transformed cells are incubated with N6, O2-dibutyryl 3':5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid (db-cAMP), adenosine 5'-monophosphoric acid (5'-AMP) or adenosine, the F-actin aggregates and their associated close adhesion areas disappear, and the cells flatten out. Treatment of untransformed cells with db-cAMP spreads their focal adhesion plaques and thickens microfilament bundles. Furthermore, F-actin aggregates are substantially more resistant to cytochalasin B and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 than microfilament bundles in untransformed cells. These differences between F-actin complexes in untransformed and in RSV-transformed cells, with respect to morphology and sensitivities to db-cAMP and cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs, define properties of the change in F-actin regulation and association with the plasma membrane due to transformation.