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Nature Jan 2010The ability of a eukaryotic cell to resist deformation, to transport intracellular cargo and to change shape during movement depends on the cytoskeleton, an... (Review)
Review
The ability of a eukaryotic cell to resist deformation, to transport intracellular cargo and to change shape during movement depends on the cytoskeleton, an interconnected network of filamentous polymers and regulatory proteins. Recent work has demonstrated that both internal and external physical forces can act through the cytoskeleton to affect local mechanical properties and cellular behaviour. Attention is now focused on how cytoskeletal networks generate, transmit and respond to mechanical signals over both short and long timescales. An important insight emerging from this work is that long-lived cytoskeletal structures may act as epigenetic determinants of cell shape, function and fate.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Cell Shape; Cytoskeleton; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans
PubMed: 20110992
DOI: 10.1038/nature08908 -
Neuron Aug 2015Microtubules are one of the major cytoskeletal components of neurons, essential for many fundamental cellular and developmental processes, such as neuronal migration,... (Review)
Review
Microtubules are one of the major cytoskeletal components of neurons, essential for many fundamental cellular and developmental processes, such as neuronal migration, polarity, and differentiation. Microtubules have been regarded as critical structures for stable neuronal morphology because they serve as tracks for long-distance transport, provide dynamic and mechanical functions, and control local signaling events. Establishment and maintenance of the neuronal microtubule architecture requires tight control over different dynamic parameters, such as microtubule number, length, distribution, orientations, and bundling. Recent genetic studies have identified mutations in a wide variety of tubulin isotypes and microtubule-related proteins in many of the major neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we highlight the functions of the neuronal microtubule cytoskeleton, its architecture, and the way its organization and dynamics are shaped by microtubule-related proteins.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Differentiation; Cytoskeleton; Humans; Microtubules; Neurons
PubMed: 26247859
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.05.046 -
Cells Apr 2019The cytoskeleton of animal cells is one of the most complicated and functionally versatile structures, involved in processes such as endocytosis, cell division,... (Review)
Review
The cytoskeleton of animal cells is one of the most complicated and functionally versatile structures, involved in processes such as endocytosis, cell division, intra-cellular transport, motility, force transmission, reaction to external forces, adhesion and preservation, and adaptation of cell shape. These functions are mediated by three classical cytoskeletal filament types, as follows: Actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. The named filaments form a network that is highly structured and dynamic, responding to external and internal cues with a quick reorganization that is orchestrated on the time scale of minutes and has to be tightly regulated. Especially in brain tumors, the cytoskeleton plays an important role in spreading and migration of tumor cells. As the cytoskeletal organization and regulation is complex and many-faceted, this review aims to summarize the findings about cytoskeletal filament types, including substructures formed by them, such as lamellipodia, stress fibers, and interactions between intermediate filaments, microtubules and actin. Additionally, crucial regulatory aspects of the cytoskeletal filaments and the formed substructures are discussed and integrated into the concepts of cell motility. Even though little is known about the impact of cytoskeletal alterations on the progress of glioma, a final point discussed will be the impact of established cytoskeletal alterations in the cellular behavior and invasion of glioma.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Division; Cell Movement; Cell Shape; Cytoskeleton; Glioma; Humans; Intermediate Filaments; Microtubules; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31003495
DOI: 10.3390/cells8040362 -
Nature Reviews. Cardiology Jun 2022The microtubule network of cardiac muscle cells has unique architectural and biophysical features to accommodate the demands of the working heart. Advances in live-cell... (Review)
Review
The microtubule network of cardiac muscle cells has unique architectural and biophysical features to accommodate the demands of the working heart. Advances in live-cell imaging and in deciphering the 'tubulin code' have shone new light on this cytoskeletal network and its role in heart failure. Microtubule-based transport orchestrates the growth and maintenance of the contractile apparatus through spatiotemporal control of translation, while also organizing the specialized membrane systems required for excitation-contraction coupling. To withstand the high mechanical loads of the working heart, microtubules are post-translationally modified and physically reinforced. In response to stress to the myocardium, the microtubule network remodels, typically through densification, post-translational modification and stabilization. Under these conditions, physically reinforced microtubules resist the motion of the cardiomyocyte and increase myocardial stiffness. Accordingly, modified microtubules have emerged as a therapeutic target for reducing stiffness in heart failure. In this Review, we discuss the latest evidence on the contribution of microtubules to cardiac mechanics, the drivers of microtubule network remodelling in cardiac pathologies and the therapeutic potential of targeting cardiac microtubules in acquired heart diseases.
Topics: Cytoskeleton; Heart Failure; Humans; Microtubules; Myocytes, Cardiac; Tubulin
PubMed: 35440741
DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00692-y -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Jul 2018Organisms in the three domains of life depend on protein polymers to form a cytoskeleton that helps to establish their shapes, maintain their mechanical integrity,... (Review)
Review
Organisms in the three domains of life depend on protein polymers to form a cytoskeleton that helps to establish their shapes, maintain their mechanical integrity, divide, and, in many cases, move. Eukaryotes have the most complex cytoskeletons, comprising three cytoskeletal polymers-actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules-acted on by three families of motor proteins (myosin, kinesin, and dynein). Prokaryotes have polymers of proteins homologous to actin and tubulin but no motors, and a few bacteria have a protein related to intermediate filament proteins.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Cytoskeleton; Gene Expression Regulation; Models, Molecular; Molecular Motor Proteins; Protein Conformation
PubMed: 29967009
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a030288 -
Current Biology : CB May 2021Robert Insall introduces the cytoskeleton special issue and summarises some recent changes in our view of actin function and regulation.
Robert Insall introduces the cytoskeleton special issue and summarises some recent changes in our view of actin function and regulation.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Cytoskeleton; Microtubules
PubMed: 34033777
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.013 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Nov 2009The protein actin forms filaments that provide cells with mechanical support and driving forces for movement. Actin contributes to biological processes such as sensing... (Review)
Review
The protein actin forms filaments that provide cells with mechanical support and driving forces for movement. Actin contributes to biological processes such as sensing environmental forces, internalizing membrane vesicles, moving over surfaces, and dividing the cell in two. These cellular activities are complex; they depend on interactions of actin monomers and filaments with numerous other proteins. Here, we present a summary of the key questions in the field and suggest how those questions might be answered. Understanding actin-based biological phenomena will depend on identifying the participating molecules and defining their molecular mechanisms. Comparisons of quantitative measurements of reactions in live cells with computer simulations of mathematical models will also help generate meaningful insights.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Animals; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Cell Movement; Cell Shape; Cytokinesis; Cytoskeleton; Endocytosis; Organelles
PubMed: 19965462
DOI: 10.1126/science.1175862 -
Current Biology : CB May 2021Cell morphology, architecture and dynamics primarily rely on intracellular cytoskeletal networks, which in metazoans are mainly composed of actin microfilaments,...
Cell morphology, architecture and dynamics primarily rely on intracellular cytoskeletal networks, which in metazoans are mainly composed of actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments (IFs). The diameter size of 10 nm - intermediate between the diameters of actin microfilaments and microtubules - initially gave IFs their name. However, the structure, dynamics, mechanical properties and functions of IFs are not intermediate but set them apart from actin and microtubules. Because of their nucleotide-independent assembly, the lack of intrinsic polarity, their relative stability and their complex composition, IFs had long been overlooked by cell biologists. Now, the numerous human diseases identified to be associated with IF gene mutations and the accumulating evidence of IF functions in cell and tissue integrity explain the growing attention that is being given to the structural characteristics, dynamics and functions of these filaments. In this Primer, we highlight the growing evidence that has revealed a role for IFs as a key element of the cytoskeleton, providing versatile, tunable, cell-type-specific filamentous networks with unique cytoplasmic and nuclear functions.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Cytoskeleton; Humans; Intermediate Filaments; Microtubules
PubMed: 34033784
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.011 -
Brain Research Bulletin Mar 2023Biomolecular condensation of proteins contributes to the organization of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. A number of condensation processes appear to be directly involved... (Review)
Review
Biomolecular condensation of proteins contributes to the organization of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. A number of condensation processes appear to be directly involved in regulating the structure, function and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Liquid-liquid phase separation of cytoskeleton proteins, together with polymerization modulators, promotes cytoskeletal fiber nucleation and branching. Furthermore, the attachment of protein condensates to the cytoskeleton can contribute to cytoskeleton stability and organization, regulate transport, create patterns of functional reaction containers, and connect the cytoskeleton with membranes. Surface-bound condensates can exert and buffer mechanical forces that give stability and flexibility to the cytoskeleton, thus, may play a large role in cell biology. In this review, we introduce the concept and role of cellular biomolecular condensation, explain its special function on cytoskeletal fiber surfaces, and point out potential definition and experimental caveats. We review the current literature on protein condensation processes related to the actin, tubulin, and intermediate filament cytoskeleton, and discuss some of them in the context of neurobiology. In summary, we provide an overview about biomolecular condensation in relation to cytoskeleton structure and function, which offers a base for the exploration and interpretation of cytoskeletal condensates in neurobiology.
Topics: Cytoskeleton; Microtubules; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Actins; Cytoplasm; Actin Cytoskeleton
PubMed: 36690162
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.01.009 -
Protoplasma May 2023
Topics: Cytoskeleton; Microtubules
PubMed: 37072568
DOI: 10.1007/s00709-023-01857-3