The three-dimensional dynamics of actin waves, a model of cytoskeletal self-organization.

ABSTRACT: Actin polymerization is typically initiated at specific sites in a cell by membrane-bound protein complexes, and the resulting structures are involved in specialized cellular functions, such as migration, particle uptake, or mitotic division. Here we analyze the potential of the actin system to self-organize into waves that propagate on the planar, substrate-attached membrane of a cell. We show that self-assembly involves the ordered recruitment of proteins from the cytoplasmic pool and relate the organization of actin waves to their capacity for applying force. Three proteins are shown to form distinct three-dimensional patterns in the actin waves. Myosin-IB is enriched at the wave front and close to the plasma membrane, the Arp2/3 complex is distributed throughout the waves, and coronin

SUBMITTER: Bretschneider T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3325131 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature