Real-time dynamics of emerging actin networks in cell-mimicking compartments

PloS One
Siddharth Deshpande, Thomas Pfohl

Abstract

Understanding the cytoskeletal functionality and its relation to other cellular components and properties is a prominent question in biophysics. The dynamics of actin cytoskeleton and its polymorphic nature are indispensable for the proper functioning of living cells. Actin bundles are involved in cell motility, environmental exploration, intracellular transport and mechanical stability. Though the viscoelastic properties of actin-based structures have been extensively probed, the underlying microstructure dynamics, especially their disassembly, is not fully understood. In this article, we explore the rich dynamics and emergent properties exhibited by actin bundles within flow-free confinements using a microfluidic set-up and epifluorescence microscopy. After forming entangled actin filaments within cell-sized quasi two-dimensional confinements, we induce their bundling using three different fundamental mechanisms: counterion condensation, depletion interactions and specific protein-protein interactions. Intriguingly, long actin filaments form emerging networks of actin bundles via percolation leading to remarkable properties such as stress generation and spindle-like intermediate structures. Simultaneous sharing of filaments i...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 1, 2015·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·José Fernando Díaz-VillanuevaVictor García-González
Mar 24, 2018·Physical Biology·Yuval MullaGijsje H Koenderink
Sep 17, 2019·Cytoskeleton·Maral Adeli KoudehiDimitrios Vavylonis
Nov 22, 2019·Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility·Hugo WiolandAntoine Jegou
Dec 14, 2018·Soft Matter·Bekele J GurmessaRae M Robertson-Anderson
Sep 11, 2019·Physical Review. E·Alexander Iomin
Mar 6, 2021·Annual Review of Biophysics·Thomas Litschel, Petra Schwille
May 11, 2019·ACS Nano·Federico FanalistaCees Dekker

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
rheology

Software Mentioned

MATLAB
ImageJ
camware
pco

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