Arbogast, N. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Asymmetric distribution of actin-related proteins in the early C. elegans embryo.

Embryos experience challenges when transforming a passive oocyte into a polarized embryo. In Caenorhabditis elegans, polarisation is initiated at the one-cell stage and followed by a series of asymmetric or symmetric cell divisions. Patterns emerge via the regulated segregation of molecules at each cell division, including polarity proteins, cell fate determinants, transcription factors, mRNAs, and actin. The actomyosin cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in these early differentiation events, but how actin itself is segregated asymmetrically during the first divisions of the zygote remains poorly understood. This study presents a thorough quantification of the spatiotemporal distribution of actin, the actin nucleators CYK-1 and Arp2/3 Complex, the capping protein CAP-1, and the E-cadherin HMR-1, from the zygote up to the 4-cell stage. To determine the potential for actin assembly of each early embryonic cell, we developed a novel assay combining in vivo microscopy-based quantitative analysis of the cytoskeleton, with in vitro actin polymerisation assays from single cell extracts named SCOPE-Single Cell cytOPlasm Extraction. SCOPE relies on UV laser ablation to empty blastomere cells into a polymerisation competent environment while following subsequent actin polymerisation. We find asymmetric segregations of most cytoskeleton proteins in favour of larger cells in a manner that is dependent on PAR polarity cues. AB and EMS cells being notably actively enriched compared to their sister cells, P cells being maintained in a state of low actin filaments. Interestingly, we discover an enrichment in ABp compared to ABa as division occurs, demonstrating that symmetric cell divisions are not exempt of actin enrichment. Additionally, this result illustrates that asymmetric distribution of actin-related proteins can precede known cell differentiation events. Taken together, these cytoskeleton heterogeneities are adding a layer to the complexity of cell fate acquisition mechanisms in the early embryo. Significance StatementO_LIThe embryonic cytoskeleton can be actively inherited rather than passively distributed during early development. C_LIO_LIActin assembly capacity can differ between blastomeres before fate diversification. C_LIO_LIDifferential inheritance of actin regulatory machinery represents a potential mechanism linking cell polarity to developmental cell fate decisions. C_LI

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Classification of human actin pathological variants using C. elegans CRISPR-generated models

Actin plays a crucial role in diverse physiological processes by forming dynamic networks that determine cellular shape and mechanical properties. Non-Muscle Actinopathies (NMA) are rare diseases caused by de novo variants in human cytoskeletal {beta}-actin (ACTB) and {gamma}-actin (ACTG1) genes, ranging from missense mutations to whole gene deletions. Currently, the high clinical variability and genotype-phenotype correlations in NMA remain largely unresolved. To address this concern, we inserted nine mutations identified in patients in the C. elegans cytoplasmic actin orthologue act-2 and performed a quantitative multiscale characterization of these animal models. We uncovered various perturbations including micro-scale actin network defects, cell-scale abnormalities, morphogenesis failure, and weaker behavioural phenotypes. Notably, the severity of the observed defects correlates with the severity of patients symptoms. Thus, we provide evidence that such C. elegans models are relevant to investigate the mechanisms underlying NMA physiopathology and could ultimately be used to screen for therapeutic strategies.

cell biology↗