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| Open AccessNuclear actin structure regulates chromatin accessibility
Intranuclear actin contributes to nuclear structure. Inducing actin remodeling within the nucleus regulates chromatin accessibility, and is associated with phenotypic outcomes in mesenchymal stem cells. As such, dynamic actin remodeling may modulate gene expression.
- Buer Sen
- , Zhihui Xie
- & Janet Rubin
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic microvilli sculpt bristles at nanometric scale
Bristleworms possess dedicated cells that can synthesize highly stereotypical bristles with sub-micrometric precision. Here, Ikeda and colleagues shed light on the underlying dynamics of cellular protrusions, revealing an extension-disassembly cycle that resembles a 3D printer.
- Kyojiro N. Ikeda
- , Ilya Belevich
- & Florian Raible
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Article
| Open AccessAn interphase actin wave promotes mitochondrial content mixing and organelle homeostasis
A mitochondrial actin wave fragments mitochondria. Here, the authors find that the wave produces force that is resisted by mitochondrial tethering, inducing fission, with subsequent fusion promoting mitochondrial content mixing and mitochondrial homeostasis.
- Stephen M. Coscia
- , Andrew S. Moore
- & Erika L. F. Holzbaur
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Article
| Open AccessArabidopsis α-Aurora kinase plays a role in cytokinesis through regulating MAP65-3 association with microtubules at phragmoplast midzone
Arabidopsis α-Aurora kinase regulates plant cytokinesis by phosphorylating the microtubule-associated protein MAP65-3, which controls the dynamic organization of the phragmoplast structure essential for cytokinesis completion.
- Xingguang Deng
- , Yu Xiao
- & Honghui Lin
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Article
| Open AccessNumb positively regulates Hedgehog signaling at the ciliary pocket
The precise regulatory mechanisms controlling ciliary Hedgehog signaling remain incomplete. Here, the authors use ciliary proteomics to reveal that Numb facilitates the endocytosis of the receptor Ptch1 from the ciliary pocket, thereby enabling activation of Hedgehog signaling.
- Xiaoliang Liu
- , Patricia T. Yam
- & Xuecai Ge
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Article
| Open AccessIFT cargo and motors associate sequentially with IFT trains to enter cilia of C. elegans
Intraflagellar transport is essential for the formation and function of cilia. Here, the authors use single-molecule imaging in live C. elegans to show that transport trains are formed by the sequential attachment of proteins before departing into the cilium.
- Aniruddha Mitra
- , Elizaveta Loseva
- & Erwin J. G. Peterman
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Article
| Open AccessPhosphorylation of the F-BAR protein Hof1 drives septin ring splitting in budding yeast
Cytokinesis in budding yeast is accompanied by a major rearrangement of septins into a double ring. Here, authors show that the F-BAR protein Hof1 contributes to septin remodeling upon its phosphorylation and relocalisation from septins to the division site.
- Maritzaida Varela Salgado
- , Ingrid E. Adriaans
- & Simonetta Piatti
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| Open AccessDynamic interplay of microtubule and actomyosin forces drive tissue extension
Actomyosin and microtubule-based forces are both important for tissue development, but how these systems interact in space and time remains unclear. Here, the authors study fly wing epithelium growth and determine aspects driving cell shape that are driven by microtubule or actomyosin-generated forces.
- Amrita Singh
- , Sameedha Thale
- & Maja Matis
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Article
| Open AccessKinetic trapping organizes actin filaments within liquid-like protein droplets
Here the authors perform modelling to reveal that the timescale of actin-VASP interactions plays a critical role in actin ring formation and filament length determines droplet deformation in VASP droplets: predictions from the model were tested against VASP GAB mutant.
- Aravind Chandrasekaran
- , Kristin Graham
- & Padmini Rangamani
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Article
| Open AccessBasal actomyosin pulses expand epithelium coordinating cell flattening and tissue elongation
Actomyosin networks constrict cell area and junctions to alter cell and tissue shape. Here, Li et al. reveal a morphological cell expansion wave behaviour that coordinates epithelial flattening and tissue elongation during Drosophila oogenesis.
- Shun Li
- , Zong-Yuan Liu
- & Xiaobo Wang
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Article
| Open AccessUncovering structural themes across cilia microtubule inner proteins with implications for human cilia function
The inside surface of microtubules contains so-called microtubule inner proteins, but little is known about their identity. Here the authors use bioinformatics to identify structural motifs within this class of proteins and potential new members.
- Jens S. Andersen
- , Aaran Vijayakumaran
- & Kenneth Bødtker Schou
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Article
| Open AccessMyosin-binding protein C regulates the sarcomere lattice and stabilizes the OFF states of myosin heads
Myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) resides and interacts with the myosin filaments in striated muscle and regulates contraction via an unclear mechanism. Here, the authors demonstrate that MyBP-C regulates the performance of myosin heads.
- Anthony L. Hessel
- , Nichlas M. Engels
- & Samantha P. Harris
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis promoting centriole triplet microtubule assembly
Centrioles are characterized by an atypical triplet microtubule structure. Here, the authors discover that the ciliopathy protein HYLS1 promotes the assembly of triplet microtubules within human centrioles.
- Yutaka Takeda
- , Takumi Chinen
- & Daiju Kitagawa
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Article
| Open AccessFocal adhesions contain three specialized actin nanoscale layers
Focal adhesions are dynamic structures that link the cell to the extracellular matrix. Here, the authors report that focal adhesions contain tropomyosin-decorated actin filaments, and show evidence that suggests specific functions in adhesion dynamics and cell migration.
- Reena Kumari
- , Katharina Ven
- & Pekka Lappalainen
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Article
| Open AccessBalancing competing effects of tissue growth and cytoskeletal regulation during Drosophila wing disc development
The authors integrate computational and quantitative approaches to elucidate how organ shape arises through the interplay between multiple growth pathways through regulation of both proliferation and the cytoskeleton.
- Nilay Kumar
- , Jennifer Rangel Ambriz
- & Mark Alber
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Article
| Open AccessEvolutionary origin of Hoxc13-dependent skin appendages in amphibians
Hair is the main skin appendage of mammals. Here, the authors show that claws of clawed frogs and hair contain homologous keratins and depend on the same transcription factor, Hoxc13, suggesting a common evolutionary origin of these skin appendages.
- Marjolein Carron
- , Attila Placido Sachslehner
- & Leopold Eckhart
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Article
| Open AccessCanonical and non-canonical integrin-based adhesions dynamically interconvert
Cells employ integrin-based adhesions with different molecular compositions to adhere to substrates. Here, the authors show that so-called “non-canonical” adhesions lacking focal adhesion components can convert to focal adhesions (and vice versa), through the selective exchange of components.
- Fabian Lukas
- , Claudia Matthaeus
- & Tanja Maritzen
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Article
| Open AccessMicrotubule damage shapes the acetylation gradient
Microtubules are acetylated on the inside of their hollow lumen, a modification linked to their lifespan. Here, the authors show that damage holes act as entry points for a deacetylase to access the lumen, thereby locally counteracting acetylation.
- Mireia Andreu-Carbó
- , Cornelia Egoldt
- & Charlotte Aumeier
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Article
| Open AccessCytokinetic abscission requires actin-dependent microtubule severing
Completion of cell division requires severing both the microtubules and the plasma membrane that connects daughter cells. Here, the authors show that branched actin regulates ESCRT localization to promote the microtubule cut, which happens before membrane scission.
- Tamara Advedissian
- , Stéphane Frémont
- & Arnaud Echard
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Article
| Open AccessMonitoring the mass, eigenfrequency, and quality factor of mammalian cells
There is increasing interest in measuring the mechanical properties of living cells. Here, the authors develop a method to simultaneously measure the cell mass and two parameters related to its natural oscillation or resonance frequencies.
- Sophie Herzog
- , Gotthold Fläschner
- & Daniel J. Müller
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| Open AccessQuantitative live cell imaging of a tauopathy model enables the identification of a polypharmacological drug candidate that restores physiological microtubule interaction
In tauopathies, the microtubule-associated protein tau is hyperphosphorylated and aggregated. Here the authors identified a polypharmacological small molecule that inhibits aggregation, reduces phosphorylation, and restores microtubule interaction of tau.
- Luca Pinzi
- , Christian Conze
- & Roland Brandt
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Article
| Open AccessJAK-STAT-dependent contact between follicle cells and the oocyte controls Drosophila anterior-posterior polarity and germline development
The authors identified a cell population in Drosophila follicles that elaborate filopodia penetrating the oocyte they are contacting. These somatic cells are essential during oogenesis to regulate polarity and germline development of the future embryo.
- Charlotte Mallart
- , Sophie Netter
- & Marianne Malartre
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Article
| Open AccessIdentification of structural and regulatory cell-shape determinants in Haloferax volcanii
Key cellular processes, such as cell-shape determination, are poorly understood in archaea. Here, Schiller et al. study the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii, which forms rods and disks, and identify a diverse set of proteins important for these processes, including a new actin homolog that plays a role in the formation of disk-shaped cells.
- Heather Schiller
- , Yirui Hong
- & Mechthild Pohlschroder
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Article
| Open AccessHKDC1 promotes tumor immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by coupling cytoskeleton to STAT1 activation and PD-L1 expression
Aberrant expression of the human hexokinase HKDC1 has been observed in patients with cancer. Here the authors report that HKDC1 expression is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma progression and PD-L1 mediated immune evasion.
- Yi Zhang
- , Mingjie Wang
- & Ping Gao
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ structure of actin remodeling during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion using cryo-electron tomography
Actin mediates insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells through remodeling. Here, authors report the in situ structure of actin remodeling and quantify changes in architecture, alignment, and interactions during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
- Weimin Li
- , Angdi Li
- & Liping Sun
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Article
| Open AccessAutoinhibition and activation of myosin VI revealed by its cryo-EM structure
This study reveals the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of autoinhibited myosin VI, offering insights into cargo-mediated activation of this unique myosin motor and advancing our understanding of motor activity control in the myosin superfamily.
- Fengfeng Niu
- , Lingxuan Li
- & Zhiyi Wei
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Article
| Open AccessRescue of mitochondrial import failure by intercellular organellar transfer
Mitochondrial biogenesis and maintenance relies on protein import from the cytosol. Here, authors show that import failure impacts organelle structure and dynamics. They also identify a rescue mechanism involving intercellular mitochondrial transfer.
- Hope I. Needs
- , Emily Glover
- & Ian Collinson
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Article
| Open AccessDENND6A links Arl8b to a Rab34/RILP/dynein complex, regulating lysosomal positioning and autophagy
Small GTPases such as Rabs control the positioning of lysosomes. Here, the authors unveil a molecular cascade orchestrated by Arl8/DENND6A/Rab34 that regulates lysosome location, impacting autophagy.
- Rahul Kumar
- , Maleeha Khan
- & Peter S. McPherson
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Article
| Open AccessEmergence of periodic circumferential actin cables from the anisotropic fusion of actin nanoclusters during tubulogenesis
Periodic circumferential cytoskeletons support biological tube formation. Here, the authors show that self-assembled actin nanoclusters undergo biased fusion and develop into periodic cables in response to the membrane anisotropy of the expanding Drosophila tracheal tube.
- Sayaka Sekine
- , Mitsusuke Tarama
- & Shigeo Hayashi
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Article
| Open AccessSustained rhoptry docking and discharge requires Toxoplasma gondii intraconoidal microtubule-associated proteins
The authors identified a series of cytoskeletal proteins involved in the discharge of invasion-related organelles in Toxoplasma gondii. They successfully delineated their functions through the utilization of expansion and cryo-electron microscopy.
- Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco
- , Albert Tell i Puig
- & Dominique Soldati-Favre
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-scale structures of the mammalian radial spoke and divergence of axonemal complexes in ependymal cilia
Radial spokes (RS) are crucial in coordinating ciliary motility. Here, authors use cryo-EM and cryo-ET to gain insight into mammalian RS divergence in ependymal cilia, RS assembly mechanism and the structure-function relationships of ciliary and flagellar axonemes.
- Xueming Meng
- , Cong Xu
- & Yao Cong
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Article
| Open AccessOligodendrocyte calcium signaling promotes actin-dependent myelin sheath extension
The cell biological mechanisms that govern myelin sheath extension remain incompletely understood. Here, the authors find that calcium signaling in oligodendrocytes is required for the actin-dependent extension of myelin sheaths.
- Manasi Iyer
- , Husniye Kantarci
- & J. Bradley Zuchero
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Article
| Open AccessThe evolution of centriole degradation in mouse sperm
Centrioles have a conserved structure and function but have diversified in sperm. Here the authors provide insight into the molecular mechanisms and adaptive evolution underlying this diversification.
- Sushil Khanal
- , Ankit Jaiswal
- & Tomer Avidor-Reiss
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Article
| Open AccessSTYXL1 regulates CCT complex assembly and flagellar tubulin folding in sperm formation
The sperm flagellum is composed of tubulin-based microtubules and is critical for sperm motility and thus male fertility. Here, the authors show that STYXL1 regulates CCT complex-facilitated tubulin folding and is essential for sperm flagella formation.
- Yu Chen
- , Mengjiao Luo
- & Xuejiang Guo
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Article
| Open AccessForce transmission by retrograde actin flow-induced dynamic molecular stretching of Talin
Focal adhesion proteins transmit intracellular forces to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, the authors show a force transmission by elastic transient clutch of Talin between ECM and constantly flowing F-actin at focal adhesions.
- Sawako Yamashiro
- , David M. Rutkowski
- & Naoki Watanabe
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Article
| Open AccessRho GTPase activity crosstalk mediated by Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 coordinates cell protrusion-retraction cycles
Cell movements are achieved by the spatio-temporal coordination of local membrane protrusions and retractions. Here, the authors identify a mechanism by which these protrusion and retraction events are coupled and how this affects the directionality of cell movements.
- Suchet Nanda
- , Abram Calderon
- & Leif Dehmelt
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Article
| Open AccessGRAF1 integrates PINK1-Parkin signaling and actin dynamics to mediate cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis
Cytoskeletal remodeling is known to facilitate mitophagy, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Here, the authors show that damaged mitochondria recruit a RhoA GTPase activating protein that promotes their capture and encasement by autophagosomes.
- Qiang Zhu
- , Matthew E. Combs
- & Joan M. Taylor
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Article
| Open AccessContractile ring mechanosensation and its anillin-dependent tuning during early embryogenesis
Contractile ring formation, positioning, and closure is influenced by tissue mechanics, though how this information is transmitted is unclear. Here they show that Anillin is critical for a mechanosensitive pathway that drives cytokinesis and contractile ring closure.
- Christina Rou Hsu
- , Gaganpreet Sangha
- & Kenji Sugioka
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Article
| Open AccessThe AMPK-Sirtuin 1-YAP axis is regulated by fluid flow intensity and controls autophagy flux in kidney epithelial cells
Urinary flow is sensed by renal cells but its intensity is dysregulated in renal diseases. Here, the authors report that physiological flow inhibits YAP to promote autophagy, while pathological flow leads to YAP activation and autophagy inhibition.
- Aurore Claude-Taupin
- , Pierre Isnard
- & Nicolas Dupont
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Article
| Open AccessCXCL12 targets the primary cilium cAMP/cGMP ratio to regulate cell polarity during migration
Regulation of cell polarity is key to ensure directed cell migration. Here, Atkins et al. identify the primary cilium cAMP/cGMP ratio as a master regulator of the cell polarity of migrating cortical interneurons downstream of the CXCL12 chemokine.
- Melody Atkins
- , Maud Wurmser
- & Christine Métin
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Article
| Open AccessIntracellular tension sensor reveals mechanical anisotropy of the actin cytoskeleton
Biosensors so far have mostly reported external traction forces exerted against the extracellular matrix or within adhesion receptors. Here, the authors present a sensor that reports molecular tension within the F-actin cytoskeleton.
- Sorosh Amiri
- , Camelia Muresan
- & Michael Murrell
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Article
| Open AccessCytosolic actin isoforms form networks with different rheological properties that indicate specific biological function
β-actin and γ-actin are nearly identical, and yet incorporate into different cytoskeletal structures. Here, the authors create isoform-pure reconstituted networks and study their structural and mechanical differences, underscoring the significance of the isoforms in diverse cellular functions.
- Peter Nietmann
- , Kevin Kaub
- & Andreas Janshoff
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Article
| Open AccessVesicles driven by dynein and kinesin exhibit directional reversals without regulators
Intracellular transport along microtubules involves runs, pauses and directional reversals. Here, D’Souza et al. mimic these dynamics in vitro using a minimal system of Dynein-Dynactin-BICD2 and Kinesin-3 on vesicles without the need for regulators.
- Ashwin I. D’Souza
- , Rahul Grover
- & Stefan Diez
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Article
| Open AccessConfined-microtubule assembly shapes three-dimensional cell wall structures in xylem vessels
In plant metaxylem, three-dimensional cell wall arches are formed over pit membranes. Here, the authors show that the microtubule-associated proteins, MAP70-5 and MAP70-1, confine microtubules within the pit aperture and direct growth of pit arches in the proper orientation.
- Takema Sasaki
- , Kei Saito
- & Yoshihisa Oda
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Article
| Open AccessNde1 promotes Lis1-mediated activation of dynein
Lis1 and Nde1/Ndel1 mediate the initiation of dynein-driven transport, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, the authors reveal that Nde1 recruits Lis1 to autoinhibited dynein and promotes Lis1-mediated assembly of active dynein transport machinery.
- Yuanchang Zhao
- , Sena Oten
- & Ahmet Yildiz
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Article
| Open AccessHIV-1 diverts cortical actin for particle assembly and release
HIV-1 assembles and buds from the host cell membrane of infected T lymphocytes. Here, Dibsy et al. characterise the role of cortical actin, viral Gag and host factor Arpin in virion assembly and release.
- Rayane Dibsy
- , Erwan Bremaud
- & Delphine Muriaux
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Article
| Open AccessMechanism of synergistic activation of Arp2/3 complex by cortactin and WASP-family proteins
Arp2/3 complex is activated by nucleation promoting factors (NPFs) to form actin branches that are stabilized by cortactin. Here, the authors show that NPFs and cortactin activate Arp2/3 complex synergistically by helping recruit the complex to F-actin and by stabilizing its active conformation
- Fred E. Fregoso
- , Malgorzata Boczkowska
- & Roberto Dominguez
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Article
| Open AccessO-GlcNAcylation regulates neurofilament-light assembly and function and is perturbed by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease mutations
The neurofilament cytoskeleton is critical for axon function and can be dysregulated in disease. Here, the authors show that intracellular glycosylation regulates a key neurofilament protein.
- Duc T. Huynh
- , Kalina N. Tsolova
- & Michael Boyce
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Article
| Open AccessMYH10 activation rescues contractile defects in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM)
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is an untreatable heart muscle disease and a common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The authors show a link between actomyosin dysregulation and cardiac dysfunction by studying nonsense PKP2 mutants classified as pathogenic to identify a potential treatment.
- Nieves García-Quintáns
- , Silvia Sacristán
- & Juan A. Bernal