The actin filament bundling protein α-actinin-4 actually suppresses actin stress fibers by permitting actin turnover.

ABSTRACT: Cells organize actin filaments into contractile bundles known as stress fibers that resist mechanical stress, increase cell adhesion, remodel the extracellular matrix, and maintain tissue integrity. α-actinin is an actin filament bundling protein that is thought to be essential for stress fiber formation and stability. However, previous studies have also suggested that α-actinin might disrupt fibers, making the true function of this biomolecule unclear. Here we use fluorescence imaging to show that kidney epithelial cells depleted of α-actinin-4 via shRNA or CRISPR/Cas9, or expressing a disruptive mutant make more massive stress fibers that are less dynamic than those in WT cells, leading to defects in cell motility and wound healing. The increase in stress fiber mass and stability can be

SUBMITTER: Kemp JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6139541 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature