Articles tagged with Cytoskeleton
A molecular brake in muscle architecture prevents T-tubule growth, maintaining muscle fibre coordination. The cortical actin network restricts membrane availability, allowing for controlled T-tubule formation.
Researchers at the University of Basel challenge the decades-old assumption that coronin proteins primarily regulate the cytoskeleton. Instead, they found that coronins are largely dispensable for cytoskeleton organization, while exhibiting additional roles in cell signaling.
A study led by IBEC researchers reveals that cells reorganize their internal scaffolding in response to sustained stretching, forming supracellular networks and 'uncaging' their nuclei. This process is facilitated by interactions between keratin and actin filaments.
Researchers reveal a previously unrecognized form of actin self-organization that may help explain how cells spontaneously generate shape and movement. Live-cell imaging and computational modeling show that these self-propelled treadmilling actin filaments (SpTAs) drive cellular protrusions through a process powered by treadmilling.
For the first time, researchers have directly visualized how newly formed cellular organelles leave the endoplasmic reticulum and transition onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. The study reveals that the ER plays an active role in steering intracellular traffic.
Researchers have discovered a key protein structure in the germ cells of male mice that causes deformations in sperm flagellum leading to infertility. The study used ultrastructure expansion microscopy to visualize the centriole, a tiny cylindrical structure critical for sperm movement.
Researchers discover GFAP's crucial role in regulating mitochondrial fusion and fission, a dynamic process that meets cells' energy needs. The study sheds light on Alexander disease, a genetic disorder caused by GFAP mutations, providing potential new avenues for therapies.
Actin filaments play a crucial role in cell movement and stability. A trio of proteins - coronin, cofilin, and AIP1 - regulate their disassembly to prevent unproductive elongation and ensure optimal power transmission. The researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the molecular choreography, revealing coordinated steps and...
A new study reveals that ancient microbes like Asgard archaea may have played a crucial role in the evolution of the cytoskeleton. The researchers discovered two proteins, FtsZ1 and FtsZ2, which behave differently and may represent an intermediate stage in the development of modern cytoskeletal networks.
A review article reveals CD2AP's crucial role in amyloid metabolism, tau pathology, synaptic function, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. CD2AP deficiency accelerates plaque formation, while its loss in neurons leads to reduced spine density and impaired synaptic plasticity.
Researchers at Heidelberg University successfully produced nanotubes folded into cytoskeleton-like structures using the RNA origami technique. This breakthrough enables synthetic cells to manufacture their own building blocks, opening new perspectives on directed evolution.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how cells generate microtubules, the scaffold structures that help maintain cell shape and facilitate division. The study found that CDK5RAP2 activates the γ-tubulin ring complex, enabling efficient microtubule nucleation.
Researchers analyzed young and aged dermal fibroblasts, finding a significant decrease in protein secretion with age. The study also revealed an increase of over 60% in cytoplasmic protein accumulation, highlighting the cytoskeleton's crucial role in skin aging.
Researchers analyzed three distinct formins from fungi, mice, and humans, revealing a new paradigm in actin filament assembly. The structures show that formins encircle actin like an asymmetric ring, with one half stably bound and the other half loosely associated.
Researchers at Göttingen and Warwick Universities studied the structure and mechanics of cytoskeletal networks composed of actin isoforms. The study found that gamma actin forms rigid networks near the cell apex, while beta actin preferentially forms parallel bundles with distinct organizational patterns.
Researchers have uncovered the underlying mechanism driving depressive systems in chronic pain, identifying a potential therapeutic target for treatment. Tiam1 protein modulates neural connections, leading to hypersensitivity and depression; ketamine blocks this effect, alleviating symptoms.
Researchers at Okayama University discovered genes and proteins responsible for the rapid contraction of axopodia in Heliozoa, a group of eukaryotes. The study identified key players in microtubule disruption, including katanin p60, kinesin, and calcium signaling proteins.
Researchers have identified a potential new cancer therapeutic target in the cell division enzyme TTLL11. Microtubule polyglutamylation by TTLL11 is crucial for faithful chromosome segregation. In cancer, TTLL11 levels are significantly downregulated, leading to unstable microtubules that favor aneuploid cells.
Researchers used cryo-EM to obtain high-resolution images of actin filaments in three states, revealing the movement of hundreds of water molecules and their role in ATP hydrolysis. The study provides new insights into the assembly and aging of actin filaments, potentially leading to therapeutic applications.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to demonstrate the correlation between cytoskeleton organisation and nuclear position in eukaryotic cells. The study successfully predicted the presence and location of nuclei in over 8,000 cells with high accuracy, transforming the way scientists approach complex biological systems.
Researchers characterized human plastins behavior as workaholics and found that they promote disease when disrupting cellular environment. Plastin's two main segments strongly bond together but can disengage to bundle actins, leading to aggressive bundling even when not needed.
Researchers found that APC gene mutations in colon cancer patients disrupt T lymphocyte migration to tumors, making it harder for the immune system to combat cancer. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of antitumor immune defense.
Researchers discovered that cytoquakes, rapid rearrangements of the cytoskeleton, occur due to slow buildup and sudden release of mechanical energy. These disturbances may aid cells in responding quickly to signals from their environment.
Actin filaments generate pushing forces to move the cell membrane. The capping protein regulates filament growth, promoting branching near the membrane through the Arp2/3 complex. A high-resolution structure reveals that capping protein blocks nucleation-promoting factors via a tiny 'tentacle' extension.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a protein called 'curly' that can bend the cytoskeleton of cells, twisting them into different shapes. This finding opens up new possibilities for engineering cells and understanding how they replicate.
Researchers discovered that cells sense and respond to mechanical forces based on the rate of force application, which can lead to cell stiffening or softening. The 'molecular clutch' model explains how this affects cellular behavior, particularly in cancer development and organ function.
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered a vestigial form of conoid organelle in the malaria parasite, which could play a role in host invasion. The study uses expansion microscopy to view the parasite's cytoskeleton at an unprecedented scale, shedding new light on its life cycle.
Researchers from Kumamoto University have developed a highly sensitive method to evaluate cytoskeleton organization from microscopic images. The new technique uses computer simulations and image analysis to accurately measure bundle states, even in unclear images.
A study published in Developmental Cell reveals the CMG2 protein interacts with collagen VI, regulating its concentration inside cells. In Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome, a mutation prevents CMG2 protein function, leading to collagen VI accumulation.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered a mechanism by which actin filaments are formed in the nucleus, controlling chromatin dynamics and influencing genome readability. Physiological messengers trigger the assembly and disassembly of actin filaments, regulating the density of chromosomes.
Researchers at LMU Munich discovered that myosin VI directly engages with the plasma membrane, dynamically altering its shape. This interaction enables important cellular processes such as endocytosis and membrane protrusions.
A recent study has found that Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) acts as a sensor to mechanical forces generated by the cytoskeleton, activating biochemical signals regulating cell migration. This discovery provides new insights into how cancer cells invade and metastasize, potentially leading to therapies targeting this mechanism.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital will examine genetic mutations causing nephrotic syndrome using Drosophila. The goal is to develop targeted treatments for pediatric patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
Researchers identify KIF5A as a new gene associated with ALS, implicating the role of cytoskeletal defects in axon communication. The discovery suggests the cytoskeleton as a potential target for new drug development and may lead to improved treatments for familial and sporadic ALS.
A research team led by Weihong Qiu has discovered a novel kinesin-14 motor that expands current understanding of the evolution and design principle of motor proteins. The discovery was made in land plants, which lack dynein but have many kinesin-14 motors.
Engineers at MIT found that organelles like mitochondria and lysosomes encounter different types of resistance in cytoplasm based on size and speed. The researchers developed a phase diagram to describe the material properties of cytoplasm from an organelle's perspective, which may aid in pharmaceutical designs.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology create liposomes with a DNA-based skeletal support, allowing them to withstand osmotic pressure and maintain their structure. This innovation enables controlled release of entrapped compounds and opens up new possibilities for drug delivery and cosmetics.
Researchers discover how tau prevents synaptic transmission in nerve cells, even before forming tangles, which disrupts brain cell function. This mechanism may pave the way for a treatment to prevent death of nerve cells.
Researchers discovered ordered arrangement of myosin-II filaments in actin cables of non-muscle cells, enabling slow contractility and movement through connective tissue. This organisation allows for dynamic assembly and disassembly of protein cables, providing the necessary strength to interact with the microenvironment.
A study published in Cell Reports found that hydras have a network of tough protein fibers called the cytoskeleton, which acts as structural memory and guides cell alignment. This allows the hydra to regrow lost body parts with remarkable accuracy.
Researchers at University of Illinois discovered that mechanical force can directly trigger gene expression by stretching chromatin, a condensed DNA and protein mixture. The study found that the degree of stretching affects gene expression, with varying effects based on the direction of the force in relation to the cell's cytoskeleton.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discovered that proteins controlling cellular rigidity can induce the activation of factors promoting tumor growth. The study found that changes in the cell's skeleton dynamics lead to rearrangements in filaments, resulting in faster cell proliferation and tissue overgrowth.
Scientists discovered that cellular projections are initiated by a network of message-relaying proteins inside the cell, even in random movement. The findings have implications for understanding and manipulating biological processes, including cancer metastasis.
Eva-Maria and Eckhard Mandelkow have made significant progress in understanding the role of tau protein in Alzheimer's disease. Their findings suggest that modifications to normal tau proteins can destroy synapses and lead to cognitive decline, offering a potential target for therapy.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism by which the activity of Src is limited by the cell's skeleton, resulting in the development of tumors. The cytoskeleton network, comprising actin proteins and actin-Capping Proteins, plays a crucial role in regulating protein activity.
Researchers solved the structure of α-catenin, a protein crucial for cell binding and tissue formation. The discovery reveals how α-catenin interacts with the cytoskeleton and cadherins to stabilize adhesion complexes.
A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has identified a distal axonal cytoskeleton as the boundary that ensures AnkyrinG clusters properly. The findings suggest that AnkyrinG cannot move beyond this boundary, resulting in proper formation of the axon initial segment and subsequent neural function.
Cell biologists have identified key steps in how small molecules alter a cell's skeletal shape and drive cell movement. By manipulating the cell membrane, researchers created ruffles that helped pull cells across surfaces, a process previously difficult to recreate.
A study led by Academy Research Fellow Eleanor Coffey identifies new players that put the brakes on neuron migration. The results show that JNK1 and SCG10 cooperate to slow down neurons' movement, which is crucial for brain development.
The novel peptide LifeAct allows for the visualization of actin in living cells, facilitating research into various diseases. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve our understanding of actin's role in fundamental processes and its involvement in diseases such as polycystic kidney disease and invasive tumors.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have discovered how immune cells, such as white blood cells, move on various surfaces. They found that these cells use a 'clutch and wheels' system, involving cell anchors and cytoskeleton deformation to maintain constant speed, enabling them to adapt to different substrates.
Researchers identified a key protein, coracle (4.1), that links receptors to cytoskeleton in nerve cells, enabling efficient neurotransmission. This discovery could help understand neurological diseases and develop drugs to manipulate problematic proteins.
Researchers at Lehigh University have used optical tweezers to study the interior of endothelial cells in a non-invasive way, discovering a rhythmic pattern in the rigidity of the cytoskeleton. This pattern appears to change by a factor of four every 20-30 seconds, raising questions about its triggers and significance.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that cancer gene c-Abl triggers the internal framework of cells, building nerve cells and aiding movement. Altering levels of growth factors and Src protein revealed c-Abl's normal function.