Myosin-dependent actin stabilization as revealed by single-molecule imaging of actin turnover

Mol Biol Cell. 2018 Aug 8;29(16):1941-1947. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E18-01-0061. Epub 2018 May 30.

Abstract

How mechanical stress applied to the actin network modifies actin turnover has attracted considerable attention. Actomyosin exerts the major force on the actin network, which has been implicated in actin stability regulation. However, direct monitoring of immediate changes in F-actin stability on alteration of actomyosin contraction has not been achieved. Here we reexamine myosin regulation of actin stability by using single-molecule speckle analysis of actin. To avoid possible errors attributable to actin-binding probes, we employed DyLight-labeled actin that distributes identical to F-actin in lamellipodia. We performed time-resolved analysis of the effect of blebbistatin on actin turnover. Blebbistatin enhanced actin disassembly in lamellipodia of fish keratocytes and lamellar of Xenopus XTC cells at an early stage of the inhibition, indicating that actomyosin contraction stabilizes cellular F-actin. In addition, our data show a previously unrecognized relationship between the actin network-driving force and the actin turnover rates in lamellipodia. These findings point to the power of direct viewing of molecular behavior in elucidating force regulation of actin filament turnover.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Goldfish
  • Half-Life
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / pharmacology
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Myosins / metabolism*
  • Pseudopodia / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Single Molecule Imaging / methods*
  • Time-Lapse Imaging

Substances

  • Actins
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • blebbistatin
  • Myosins