Xijiao Dihuang Decoction combined with Yinqiao Powder reverses influenza virus-induced F-actin reorganization in PMVECs by inhibiting ERM phosphorylation

Objective:It has been documented that ezrin/radixin/moesin(ERM)phosphorylation by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK),Rho/ROCK,and protein kinase C(PKC)pathways leads to filamentous actin(F-actin)reorganization and microvascular endothelial cell hyperpermeability.In this study,we investigated the effects of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction combined with Yinqiao Powder(XDY)on influenza virus(IV)-induced F-actin restructuring and ERM phosphorylation regulated by the Rho/Rho kinase 1(ROCK),p38 MAPK,and PKC signaling pathways in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMVECs).Methods:Serum containing XDY(XDY-CS;13.8 g/kg)was acquired using standard protocols for serum pharmacology.Primary PMVECs were obtained from male Wistar rats and cultured.After adsorption of IV A(multiplicity of infection,0.01)for 1 h,medium with 20%XDY-CS was added to the PMVECs.The distributions of F-actin and phosphorylated ERM were determined by confocal microscopy,and F-actin expression was measured by flow cytometry.The expression levels of ROCK1,phosphorylated myosin phosphatase target-subunit(p-MYPT),phosphorylated MAPK kinase,phosphorylated p38(p-p38),phosphorylated PKC(p-PKC),and phosphorylated ERM(p-ERM)were determined by western blotting.Results:F-actin reorganization in IV-infected PMVECs was reversed by XDY-CS treatment,which was accompanied by reduced p-ERM production.The p-ERM protein accumulated at plasma membrane of PMVECs infected with IV,which was also inhibited by XDY-CS treatment.

Effects of chondroitin sulfate on alteration of actin cytoskeleton in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: In experimental acute pancreatitis, a large amount of reactive oxygen species are produced, and in turn cytoskeletal changes may be induced in pancreatic tissue. These changes contribute to an imbalance of digestive enzyme segregation, transport, exocytosis and activation, resulting in cell injury. In this study, we assessed the effects of chondroitin sulfate (CS) on attenuation of oxidative damage and protection of F-actin in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups. Group A was infused with 5% sodium taurocholate; group B was treated with CS; and group C served as control. Rats from the three groups were killed at 1, 3 or 8 hours. The levels were measured of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione synthetase (GSH), serum amylase (SAM) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). F-actin immunostained with rhodamine-phalloidin was analyzed using a confocal laser scanning system and the content of F-actin protein was determined. RESULTS: The levels of SAM increased in groups A and B, whereas the levels of GSH, SOD and ATP in group A decreased markedly during pancreatitis, and MDA increased significantly. The levels of GSH, SOD and ATP in group B were higher than those in group A, but the level of MDA was lower than in group A. At the same time, ANP resulted in early disruption of the cytoskeleton with dramatic changes and a loss of F-actin. Administration of CS moderated the damage to the actin cytoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate via the pancreatic duct may produce pancreatic necrosis and a marked increase in serum amylase activity, induce a severe depletion of ATP level, prime lipid peroxidation, and damage F-actin. Treatment with CS can ameliorate pancreatic cell conditions, limit cell membrane peroxidation, protect F-actin, and attenuate pancreatitis.

Ion Implantation Hampers Pollen Tube Growth and Disrupts Actin Cytoskeleton Organization in Pollen Tubes of Pinus thunbergii

Pollen grains of Pinus thunbergii Parl. （Japanese black pine） were implanted with 30 keV nitrogen ion beams and the effects of nitrogen ion implantation on pollen tube growth in vitro and the organization of actin cytoskeleton in the pollen tube cell were investigated using a confocal laser scanning microscope after fluorescence labeling. Treatment with ion implantation significantly blocked pollen tube growth. Confocal microscopy showed that ion implantation disrupted actin filament cytoskeleton organization in the pollen tube. It was found that there was a distinct correlation between the inhibition of pollen tube growth and the disruption of actin cytoskeleton organization, indicating that an intact actin cytoskeleton is essential for continuous pollen tube elongation in Pinus thunbergii. Although the detailed mechanism for the ion-implantation-induced bioeffect still remains to be elucidated, the present study assumes that the cytoskeleton system in pollen grains may provide a key target in response to ion beam implantation and is involved in mediating certain subsequent cytological changes.

In situ Localization and Isolation of Actin Filaments from Pollen Tubes of Amaryllis vittata Ait

Actin filaments (AFs) in un-fixed pollen tubes of Amaryllis vittata Ait were visualized after TRITC-phalloidin staining with DMSO as a permeabilising agent. Typically, strands or hundles of microfilaments (Mfs) were distributed in the extreme tip as well as pollen tubes in a form of network.Fluorescent granules or circles of various sizes were frequently found that continued with the filamentous structures. In addition, a more brightly stained structure, possibly Mf organizing center, was observed. Treatment of pollen tubes with cytochalasin D(CD)for increasing time intervals (5-40 minutes) caused gradual reduction of strands until flurescent granules filled up the pollen tubes. Mcanwhile, cytoplasmie streaming was inhibited completely. Though closely associated with vegetative nuclei (VN) and generative cells (GC), AFs were not found in the cytoplasm of GC.Mg++concentration greatly affected the isolated Mfs.

Breast cancer resistance protein （Bcrp） and the testis--an unexpected turn of events

Breast cancer resistance protein （Bcrp） is an ATP-dependent efflux drug transporter. It has a diverse spectrum of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates ranging from anticancer, antiviral and antihypertensive drugs, to organic anions, antibiotics, phytoestrogens （e.g., genistein, daidzein, coumestrol）, xenoestrogens and steroids （e.g., dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate）. Bcrp is an integral membrane protein in cancer and normal cells within multiple organs （e.g., brain, placenta, intestine and testis） that maintains cellular homeostasis by extruding drugs and harmful substances from the inside of cells. In the brain, Bcrp is a major component of the blood- brain barrier located on endothelial cells near tight junctions （TJs）. However, Bcrp is absent at the Sertoli cell blood-testis barrier （BTB）; instead, it is localized almost exclusively to the endothelial TJ in microvessels in the interstitium and the peritubular myoid cells in the tunica propria. Recent studies have shown that Bcrp is also expressed stage specifically and spatiotemporally by Sertoli and germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium of rat testes, limited only to a testis-specific cell adhesion ultrastructure known as the apical ectoplasmic specialisation （ES） in stage VI-early VIII tubules. These findings suggest that Bcrp is equipped by late spermatids and Sertoli cells to protect late-stage spermatids completing spermiogenesis. Furthermore, Bcrp was found to be associated with F （filamentous）-actin and several actin regulatory proteins at the apical ES and might be involved in the organisation of actin filaments at the apical ES in stage VII-VIII tubules. These findings will be carefully evaluated in this brief review.

A Hybrid Immersed Boundary/Coarse-Graining Method for Modeling Inextensible Semi-Flexible Filaments in Thermally Fluctuating Fluids Dedicated to Professor Karl Stark Pister for his 95th birthday

A new and computationally efficient version of the immersed boundary method,which is combined with the coarse-graining method,is introduced for modeling inextensible filaments immersed in low-Reynolds number flows.This is used to represent actin biopolymers,which are constituent elements of the cytoskeleton,a complex network-like structure that plays a fundamental role in shape morphology.An extension of the traditional immersed boundary method to include a stochastic stress tensor is also proposed in order to model the thermal fluctuations in the fluid at smaller scales.By way of validation,the response of a single,massless,inextensible semiflexible filament immersed in a thermally fluctuating fluid is obtained using the suggested numerical scheme and the resulting time-averaged contraction of the filament is compared to the theoretical value obtained from the worm-like chain model.

AtMAC stabilizes the phragmoplast by crosslinking microtubules and actin filaments during cytokinesis

The phragmoplast,a structure crucial for the completion of cytokinesis in plant cells,is composed of antiparallel microtubules(MTs)and actin filaments(AFs).However,how the parallel structure of phragmoplast MTs and AFs is maintained,especially during centrifugal phragmoplast expansion,remains elusive.Here,we analyzed a new Arabidopsis thaliana MT and AF crosslinking protein(AtMAC).When AtMAC was deleted,the phragmoplast showed disintegrity during centrifugal expansion,and the resulting phragmoplast fragmentation led to incomplete cell plates.Overexpression of AtMAC increased the resistance of phragmoplasts to depolymerization and caused the formation of additional phragmoplasts during cytokinesis.Biochemical experiments showed that AtMAC crosslinked MTs and AFs in vitro,and the truncated AtMAC protein,N-CC1,was the key domain controlling the ability of AtMAC.Further analysis showed that N-CC1(51–154)is the key domain for binding MTs,and N-CC1(51–125)for binding AFs.In conclusion,AtMAC is the novel MT and AF crosslinking protein found to be involved in regulation of phragmoplast organization during centrifugal phragmoplast expansion,which is required for complete cytokinesis.

ABP41 is Involved in the Pollen Tube Development via Fragmenting Actin Filaments

ABP41 is identified as a novel member of plant villin/gelsolin/fragmin superfamily proteins from lily pollen, which binds stoichiometrically to actin filaments and severs them in vitro. To further understand its in-vivo function and the potential molecular mechanisms, biochemical analysis, fluorescence microscopic observation and microinjection assays were performed. Different biochemical measurements showed that ABP41 maintained actin filaments in forms of short F-actin in vitro. Microinjection of ABP41 into pollen tubes could fragment the pre-existing actin filaments, inhibit the velocity of cytoplasmic streaming, and shorten the length of the clear zone of pollen tube. In addition, it was found that the endogenous ABP41 expressing level was dynamically corresponding to the short actin filament structure in pollen at different stages of pollen germination. Our results suggest that ABP41 is involved in the regulation of actin dynamics during the pollen germination process via maintenance of short dynamic actin filaments.

New Insights into Dynamic Actin-Based Chloroplast Photorelocation Movement

Chloroplast movement is essential for plants to survive under various environmental light conditions. Photo- tropins--plant-specific blue-light-activated receptor kinases--mediate the response by perceiving light intensity and direction. Recently, novel chloroplast actin （cp-actin） filaments have been identified as playing a pivotal role in the directional chloroplast photorelocation movement. Encouraging progress has recently been made in this field of research through molecular genetics and cell biological analyses. This review describes factors that have been identified as being involved in chloroplast movement and their roles in the regulation of cp-actin filaments, thus providing a basis for reflection on their biochemical activities and functions.

Rearrangement of Actin Cytoskeleton by Zika Virus Infection Facilitates Blood–Testis Barrier Hyperpermeability

In recent years,various serious diseases caused by Zika virus(ZIKV)have made it impossible to be ignored.Confirmed existence of ZIKV in semen and sexually transmission of ZIKV suggested that it can break the blood–testis barrier(BTB),or Sertoli cell barrier(SCB).However,little is known about the underlying mechanism.In this study,interaction between actin,an important component of the SCB,and ZIKV envelope(E)protein domainⅢ(EDⅢ)was inferred from coimmunoprecipitation(Co-IP)liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry(LC–MS/MS)analysis.Confocal microscopy confirmed the role of actin filaments(F-actin)in ZIKV infection,during which part of the stress fibers,the bundles that constituted by paralleled actin filaments,were disrupted and presented in the cell periphery.Colocalization of E and reorganized actin filaments in the cell periphery of transfected Sertoli cells suggests a participation of ZIKV E protein in ZIKV-induced F-actin rearrangement.Perturbation of F-actin by cytochalasin D(CytoD)or Jasplakinolide(Jas)enhanced the infection of ZIKV.More importantly,the transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)of an in vitro mouse SCB(mSCB)model declined with the progression of ZIKV infection or overexpression of E protein.Co-IP and confocal microscopy analyses revealed that the interaction between F-actin and tight junction protein ZO-1 was reduced after ZIKV infection or E protein overexpression,highlighting the role of E protein in ZIKV-induced disruption of the BTB.We conclude that the interaction between ZIKV E and F-actin leads to the reorganization of F-actin network,thereby compromising BTB integrity.

The kinesin-like proteins, KAC1/2, regulate actin dynamics underlying chloroplast light-avoidance in Physcomitrella patens

In plants, light determines chloroplast position; these organelles show avoidance and accumulation re- sponses in high and low fluence-rate light, respectively. Chloroplast motility in response to light is driven by cytoskeletal elements. The actin cytoskeleton mediates chloroplast photorelocation responses in Arabidopsis thali- ana. In contrast, in the moss Physcomitrella patens, both, actin filaments and microtubules can transport chloroplasts. Because of the surprising evidence that two kinesin-like proteins （called KACs） are important for actin-dependent chloroplast photorelocation in vascular plants, we wanted to determine the cytoskeletal system responsible for the function of these proteins in moss. We performed gene- specific silencing using RNA interference in P. patens. We confirmed existing reports using gene knockouts, that PpKAC1 and PpKAC2 are required for chloroplast dispersion under uniform white light conditions, and that the two proteins are functionally equivalent. To address the specificcytoskeletal elements responsible for motility, this loss-of- function approach was combined with cytoskeleton-targeted drug studies. We found that, in P. patens, these KACs mediate the chloroplast light-avoidance response in an actin filament- dependent, rather than a microtubule-dependent manner. Using correlation-decay analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics, we found that PpKAC stabilizes cortical actin filaments, but has no effect on microtubule dynamics.

Actin nucleator formins regulate the tension-buffering function of caveolin-1

Both the mechanosensitive actin cytoskeleton and caveolae contribute to active processes such as cell migration,morphogenesis,and vesicular trafficking.Although distinct actin components are well studied,how they contribute to cytoplasmic caveolae,especially in the context of mechano-stress,has remained elusive.Here,we identify two actin-associated mobility stereotypes of caveolin-1(CAV-1)-marked intracellular vesicles,which are characterized as‘dwelling’and‘go and dwelling’.In order to exploit the reason for their distinct dynamics,elongated actin-associated formin functions are perturbed.We find drastically decreased density,increased clustering,and compromised motility of cytoplasmic CAV-1 vesicles resulting from lacking actin nucleator formins by both chemical treatment and RNA silencing of formin genes.Furthermore,hypo-osmosis-stimulated diminishing of CAV-1 is dramatically intensified upon blocking formins.The clustering of CAV-1 vesicles when cells are cultured on soft substrate is also aggravated under formin inhibition condition.Together,we reveal that actin-associated formins are essential for maintaining the dynamic organization of cytoplasmic CAV-1 and importantly its sensitivity upon mechanical challenge.We conclude that tension-controlled actin formins act as a safety valve dampening excessive tension on CAV-1 and safeguarding CAV-1 against mechanical damage.

The regulation of host cytoskeleton during SARS-CoV-2 infection in the nervous system

The global economy and public health are currently under enormous pressure since the outbreak of COVID-19. Apart from respiratory discomfort, a subpopulation of COVID-19 patients exhibits neurological symptoms such as headache, myalgia, and loss of smell. Some have even shown encephalitis and necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy. The cytoskeleton of nerve cells changes drastically in these pathologies, indicating that the cytoskeleton and its related proteins are closely related to the pathogenesis of nervous system diseases. In this review, we present the up-to-date association between host cytoskeleton and coronavirus infection in the context of the nervous system. We systematically summarize cytoskeleton-related pathogen-host interactions in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, hoping to contribute to the development of clinical treatment in COVID-19 patients.

Research on the Correlation between Platelet Gelsolin and Blood-Stasis Syndrome of Coronary Heart Disease

Objective：To study the distribution of gelsolin in human platelet and plasma,and the association with blood-stasis syndrome（BSS） of coronary heart disease（CHD）.Methods：Sixty patients with CHD（30 in BSS group and 30 in non-BSS group） and 30 healthy subjects（control group） were included in this study.The classification of the syndrome was based on clinical symptoms and signs.Gelsolin concentration in platelet rich plasma（PRP）,platelet poor plasma（PPP）,filamentous actin（F-actin） and group-specific component globulin （Gc-globulin） of PPP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）.The fluorescence intensity of CD62p and cytoplasmic calcium（[Ca^（2＋）]_i） in human platelets of patients and healthy persons was measured with flow cytometry.Results：Compared with the control group,gelsolin in PRP of the BSS group increased significantly（P0.01）,while that in PPP of the BSS and non-BSS groups decreased markedly（P0.05）, the CD62p,[Ca^（2＋）]_i of platelet,F-actin,and Gc-globulin of the BSS and non-BSS groups increased significantly （P0.01）.Compared with the non-BSS group,the gelsolin concentration in PRP of BSS group increased significantly（P0.01）,the[Ca^（2＋）]_i of platelet of the BSS group increased markedly（P0.01）,while the F-actin and Gc-globulin of the BSS group had no statistical defference（P0.05）.Conclusions：Gelsolin concentration in PRP was increased and accompanied by the elevated[Ca^（2＋）]_i of platelet in CHD with BSS,while gelsolin in PPP were lowered markedly.We speculate that plasma gelsolin may clear F-actin from circulation,thus resulting in depletion of plasma gelsolin significantly.This,in addition to the increased calcium influx of platelets,may lead to the gelsolin abnormal expression on platelets during the process of BSS in CHD.Therefore,platelet gelsolin may serve as a new potential biomarker and a therapeutic target of BSS in CHD.

At FH16, an Arabidopsis Type II Formin, Binds and Bundles both Microflaments and Microtubules, and Preferentially Binds to Microtubules

Formins are well-known regulators that participate in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in organisms. The Arabidopsis thaliana L. genome encodes 21 formins, which can be divided into two distinct subfamilies. However, type II formins have to date been less well characterized. Here, we cloned a type II formin, AtFH16, and characterized its biochemical activities on actin and microtubule dynamics. The results show that the FH1 FH2 structure of AtFH16 cannot nucleate actin polymerization efficiently, but can bind and bundle microfilaments. AtFH16 FHIFH2 is also able to bind and bundle microtubules, and preferentially binds microtubules over microfilaments in vitro, in addition, AtFH16 FHIFH2 co-localizes with microtubules in onion epidermal cells, indicating a higher binding affinity of AtFH16 FHIFH2 for microtubules rather than microfilaments in vivo. In conclusion, AtFH16 is able to interact with both microfilaments and microtubules, suggesting that AtFH16 probably functions as a bifunctional protein, and may thus participate in plant cellular processes.

Organelle trafficking, the cytoskeleton, and pollen tube growth

The pollen tube is fundamental for the reproduction of seed plants. Characteristically, it grows relatively quickly and uni-directionally （＂polarized growth＂） to extend the male gametophyte to reach the female gametophyte. The pollen tube forms a channel through which the sperm cells move so that they can reach their targets in the ovule. To grow quickly and directionally, the pollen tube requires an intense movement of organelles and vesicles that allows the cell＇s contents to be distributed to sustain the growth rate. While the various organelles distribute more or less uniformly within the pollen tube, Golgi-released secretory vesicles accumulate massively at the pollen tube apex, that is, the growing region. This intense movement of organelles and vesicles is dependent on the dynamics of the cytoskeleton, which reorganizes differentially in response to external signals and coordinates membrane trafficking with the growth rate of pollen tubes.

Collective mechanism of molecular motors and a dynamic mechanical model for sarcomere

A non-equilibrium statistical method is used to study the collective characteristics of myosin II motors in a sarcomere during its contraction. By means of Fokker-Planck equation of molecular motors, we present a dynamic mechanical model for the sarcomere in skeletal muscle. This model has been solved with a numerical algorithm based on experimental chemical transition rates. The influences of ATP concentration and load on probability density, contraction velocity and maximum active force are discussed respectively. It is shown that contraction velocity and maximum isometric active force increase with the increasing ATP concentration and become constant when the ATP concentration reaches equilibrium saturation. Contraction velocity reduces gradually as the load force increases. We also find that active force begins to increase then decrease with the increasing length of sarcomere, and has a maximum value at the optimal length that all myosin motors can attach to actin filament. Our results are in good agreement with the Hill muscle model.

Arabidopsis Profilin Isoforms,PRF1 and PRF2 Show Distinctive Binding Activities and Subcellular Distributions

Profilin is an actin-binding protein that shows complex effects on the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. There are five profilin isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana L. However, it is still an open question whether these isoforms are functionally different. In the present study, two profilin isoforms from Arabidopsis, PRF1 and PRF2 were fused with green fuorescent protein （GFP） tag and expressed in Escherichia coil and A. thaliana in order to compare their biochemical properties in vitro and their cellular distributions in vivo. Biochemical analysis revealed that fusion proteins of GFP-PRF1 and GFP-PRF2 can bind to poly-L-proline and G-actin showing remarkable differences. GFP-PRF1 has much higher affinities for both poly-L-proline and G-actin compared with GFP-PRF2. Observations of living cells in stable transgenic A. thaliana lines revealed that 35S：：GFP-PRF1 formed a filamentous network, while 35S：：GFP-PRF2 formed polygonal meshes. Results from the treatment with latrunculin A and a subsequent recovery experiment indicated that filamentous alignment of GFP-PRF1 was likely associated with actin filaments. However, GFP-PRF2 localized to polygonal meshes resembling the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results provide evidence that Arabidopsis profllin isoforms PRF1 and PRF2 have different biochemical affinities for poly-L-proline and G-actin, and show distinctive Iocalizations in living cells. These data suggest that PRF1 and PRF2 are functionally different isoforms.

Cytoskeleton-a crucial key in host cell for coronavirus infection

The emerging coronavirus(CoV)pandemic is threatening the public health all over the world.Cytoskeleton is an intricate network involved in controlling cell shape,cargo transport,signal transduction,and cell division.Infection biology studies have illuminated essential roles for cytoskeleton in mediating the outcome of host-virus interactions.In this review,we discuss the dynamic interactions between actin filaments,microtubules,intermediate filaments,and CoVs.In one round of viral life cycle,CoVs surf along filopodia on the host membrane to the entry sites,utilize specific intermediate filament protein as co-receptor to enter target cells,hijack microtubules for transportation to replication and assembly sites,and promote actin filaments polymerization to provide forces for egress.During CoV infection,disruption of host cytoskeleton homeostasis and modification state is tightly connected to pathological processes,such as defective cytokinesis,demyelinating,cilia loss,and neuron necrosis.There are increasing mechanistic studies on cytoskeleton upon CoV infection,such as viral protein-cytoskeleton interaction,changes in the expression and post-translation modification,related signaling pathways,and incorporation with other host factors.Collectively,these insights provide new concepts for fundamental virology and the control of CoV infection.

Tprn is essential for the integrity of stereociliary rootlet in cochlear hair cells in mice

Tprn encodes the taperin protein,which is concentrated in the tapered region of hair cell stereocilia in the inner ear.In humans,TPRN mutations cause autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness(DFNB79)by an unknown mechanism.To determine the role of Tprn in hearing,we generated Tprn-null mice by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/Cas9 genome-editing technology from a CBA/CaJ background.We observed significant hearing loss and progressive degeneration of stereocilia in the outer hair cells of Tprn-null mice starting from postnatal day 30.Transmission electron microscopy images of stereociliary bundles in the mutant mice showed some stereociliary rootlets with curved shafts.The central cores of the stereociliary rootlets possessed hollow structures with surrounding loose peripheral dense rings.Radixin,a protein expressed at stereocilia tapering,was abnormally dispersed along the stereocilia shafts in Tprn-null mice.The expression levels of radixin andβ-actin significantly decreased.We propose that Tprn is critical to the retention of the integrity of the stereociliary rootlet.Loss of Tprn in Tprn-null mice caused the disruption of the stereociliary rootlet,which resulted in damage to stereociliary bundles and hearing impairments.The generated Tprn-null mice are ideal models of human hereditary deafness DFNB79.