An unconventional myosin required for cell polarization and chemotaxis

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Apr 13;107(15):6918-23. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0909796107. Epub 2010 Mar 29.

Abstract

MyTH/FERM (myosin tail homology 4/band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin) myosins have roles in cellular adhesion, extension of actin-filled projections such as filopodia and stereocilia, and directional migration. The amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum expresses a simple complement of MyTH/FERM myosins, a class VII (M7) myosin required for cell-substrate adhesion and a unique myosin named MyoG. Mutants lacking MyoG exhibit a wide range of normal actin-based behaviors, including chemotaxis to folic acid, but have a striking defect in polarization and chemotaxis to cAMP. Although the myoG mutants respond to cAMP stimulation by increasing persistence and weakly increasing levels of cortical F-actin, they do not polarize; instead, they maintain a round shape and move slowly and randomly when exposed to a chemotactic gradient. The mutants also fail to activate and localize PI3K to the membrane closest to the source of chemoattractant. These data reveal a role for a MyTH/FERM myosin in mediating early chemotactic signaling and suggest that MyTH/FERM proteins have conserved roles in signaling and the generation of cell polarity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemotaxis
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Dictyostelium / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Myogenin / genetics
  • Myogenin / physiology*
  • Myosins / physiology*
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Actins
  • Myogenin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Myosins