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Actin-microtubule coordination at growing microtubule ends.

  • Preciado López M FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Huber F FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Grigoriev I Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Steinmetz MO Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
  • Akhmanova A Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Koenderink GH FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Dogterom M 1] FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2].
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  • 2014-08-28
Published in:
  • Nature communications. - 2014
Actin Cytoskeleton
Actins
Escherichia coli
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Microtubules
Recombinant Proteins
English To power dynamic processes in cells, the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons organize into complex structures. Although it is known that cytoskeletal coordination is vital for cell function, the mechanisms by which cross-linking proteins coordinate actin and microtubule activities remain poorly understood. In particular, it is unknown how the distinct mechanical properties of different actin architectures modulate the outcome of actin-microtubule interactions. To address this question, we engineered the protein TipAct, which links growing microtubule ends via end-binding proteins to actin filaments. We show that growing microtubules can be captured and guided by stiff actin bundles, leading to global actin-microtubule alignment. Conversely, growing microtubule ends can transport, stretch and bundle individual actin filaments, thereby globally defining actin filament organization. Our results provide a physical basis to understand actin-microtubule cross-talk, and reveal that a simple cross-linker can enable a mechanical feedback between actin and microtubule organization that is relevant to diverse biological contexts.
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  • English
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hybrid
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https://sonar.ch/global/documents/44695
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