Regulation of Actin Bundle Mechanics and Structure by Intracellular Environmental Factors

Frontiers in Physics

Nicholas Castaneda¹  Jinho Park²  Ellen Hyeran Kang³ 

[1] NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States;

关键词: actin bundles;    macromolecular crowding;    cation interactions;    actin crosslinker;    bending stiffness;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fphy.2021.675885

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The mechanical and structural properties of actin cytoskeleton drive various cellular processes, including structural support of the plasma membrane and cellular motility. Actin monomers assemble into double-stranded helical filaments as well as higher-ordered structures such as bundles and networks. Cells incorporate macromolecular crowding, cation interactions, and actin-crosslinking proteins to regulate the organization of actin bundles. Although the roles of each of these factors in actin bundling have been well-known individually, how combined factors contribute to actin bundle assembly, organization, and mechanics is not fully understood. Here, we describe recent studies that have investigated the mechanisms of how intracellular environmental factors influence actin bundling. This review highlights the effects of macromolecular crowding, cation interactions, and actin-crosslinking proteins on actin bundle organization, structure, and mechanics. Understanding these mechanisms is important in determining in vivo actin biophysics and providing insights into cell physiology.

【 授权许可】

CC BY