Biology subjects

Svitkina, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Svitkina, T..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Mechanism of branched actin assembly at microtubule tips downstream of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) protein

During cell migration, branched actin filaments nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex induce leading edge protrusions, whereas directionality of cell migration is controlled by microtubules. We showed previously that Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) initiates branched actin assembly at microtubule tips, which can explain how microtubules control directional protrusion. Here, we investigate a link from APC to Arp2/3 complex activity. We show that protrusion-generating activity of APC resides in its N-terminal region containing the Armadillo Repeat Domain (ARD). Furthermore, Asef1/ARHGEF4, a Cdc42 GEF known to be activated by the ARD of APC, as well as Cdc42 itself and its effector N-WASP, an Arp2/3 complex activator, are all required for the assembly of branched actin filaments in neuronal growth cones and neurite outgrowth. As downregulation of Asef1, Cdc42 or N-WASP produces phenotypes similar to APC knockdown, we propose that microtubules regulate directional cell migration and neuron navigation by inducing local membrane protrusion through the APC - Asef1 - Cdc42 - N-WASP - Arp2/3 pathway. These findings bridge a significant gap in our knowledge of cell migration.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Motor activity of nonmuscle myosin 2A is a key component of bipolar filament turnover in cells

Cell contractility plays numerous essential roles in a healthy organism, while its malfunctioning can lead to disease. The ubiquitous actin-dependent motors of the nonmuscle myosin 2 (NM2) family, which includes NM2A and NM2B, are chiefly responsible for cell contractility because of their ability to polymerize into bipolar filaments. Polymerization/depolymerization of NM2 filaments allows cells to quickly reorganize their contractile system according to constantly changing shapes and positions of nonmuscle cells. Bipolar filament depolymerization is known to depend on the C-terminal features of the NM2A heavy chain. Here, we show that the motor activity of NM2A is another key component of NM2As depolymerization mechanism, which cooperates with tail-dependent mechanisms to facilitate NM2A turnover in cells and, through copolymerization with NM2B, to reorganize and dynamize NM2B in trans, thus generating a proper intracellular NM2A/NM2B distribution needed for efficient cell migration. Together, we show that NM2A motor activity is a key component of the bipolar filament depolymerization mechanism.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Nonmuscle myosin 2 turnover in cells is synergistically controlled by the tail and the motor domain

Myosin 2, an actin-dependent motor, is universally responsible for cell contractility due to its ability to form bipolar filaments. Fast turnover of nonmuscle myosin 2 (NM2) filaments is necessary to keep up with cell motility and shape changes. The turnover mechanisms are not fully understood and differ for two main mammalian paralogs--NM2A and NM2B--whereas paralog copolymerization adds complexity to this process by enabling the intrinsically fast NM2A to dynamize the intrinsically slow NM2B. Here, we show that the nonhelical tail, the C-terminal phosphorylation sites, and surprisingly, the motor domain of the NM2A heavy chain synergistically accelerate the turnover of NM2B in trans and cell motility, suggesting that these three mechanisms collectively control NM2As own dynamics. Conversely, the phosphomimetic NM2B tail facilitates only local turnover of endogenous wild type NM2B but not its global redistribution unless the NM2A motor is combined with the phosphomimetic NM2B tail. Collectively, we reveal the cooperation between the motor activity and the NM2 tail-targeting turnover mechanisms in regulating the NM2 filament turnover in trans and cell motility. SUMMARYTurnover of nonmuscle myosin 2 (NM2) filaments is essential for cell motility and is regulated by various mechanisms including copolymerization of the NM2A and NM2B paralogs. Chougule and Svitkina reveal how the intrinsically fast NM2A accelerates dynamics of slower NM2B in trans.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

CCDC32 stabilizes clathrin-coated pits and drives their invagination

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Previous studies have reported more than 50 CME accessory proteins; however, the mechanism driving the invagination of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) remains elusive. We show by quantitative live cell imaging that siRNA-mediated knockdown of CCDC32, a poorly characterized endocytic accessory protein, leads to the accumulation of unstable flat clathrin assemblies. CCDC32 interacts with the -appendage domain (AD) of AP2 in vitro and with full length AP2 complexes in cells. Deletion of aa78-98 in CCDC32, corresponding to a predicted -helix, abrogates AP2 binding and CCDC32s early function in CME. Furthermore, clinically observed nonsense mutations in CCDC32, which result in C-terminal truncations that lack aa78-98, are linked to the development of cardio-facio-neuro-developmental syndrome (CFNDS). Overall, our data demonstrate the function of a novel endocytic accessory protein, CCDC32, in regulating CCP stabilization and invagination, critical early stages of CME. SummaryWe show that CCDC32, a poorly studied and functionally ambiguous protein, binds to AP2 and regulates CCP stabilization and invagination. Clinically observed mutations in CCDC32 lose their ability to interact with AP2 likely contributing to the development of cardio-facio-neuro-developmental syndrome.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Membrane-cytoskeleton mechanical feedback mediated by myosin-I controls phagocytic efficiency

Phagocytosis of invading pathogens or cellular debris requires a dramatic change in cell shape driven by actin polymerization. For antibody-covered targets, phagocytosis is thought to proceed through the sequential engagement of Fc-receptors on the phagocyte with antibodies on the target surface, leading to the extension and closure of the phagocytic cup around the target. We have found that two actin-dependent molecular motors, class 1 myosins myosin 1e and myosin 1f, are specifically localized to Fc-receptor adhesions and required for efficient phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized targets. Using primary macrophages lacking both myosin 1e and myosin 1f, we found that without the actin-membrane linkage mediated by these myosins, the organization of individual adhesions is compromised, leading to excessive actin polymerization, slower adhesion turnover, and deficient phagocytic internalization. This work identifies a novel role for class 1 myosins in coordinated adhesion turnover during phagocytosis and supports a model for a membrane-tension based feedback mechanism for phagocytic cup closure.\n\nO_FIG_DISPLAY_L [Figure 1] M_FIG_DISPLAY C_FIG_DISPLAY

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Lysophosphatidic acid provokes fibroblast chemotaxis through combinatorial regulation of myosin II

Lysophophatidic acid (LPA), a biologically active phospholipid that is ubiquitously present in tissues and organs, provokes cellular responses such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration via activation of G-protein coupled receptors. These receptors activate a broad range of intracellular signaling cascades to mediate these responses. Using microfluidic chambers that generate and maintain stable gradients, we observed that chemotaxis of fibroblasts to LPA has higher directional fidelity than chemotaxis provoked by the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligand platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Unlike fast moving amoeboid cells, mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts do not require PI3K for chemotaxis to a GPCR ligand. In addition, the Arp2/3 complex is not required for fibroblast GPCR-based chemotaxis in either 2D or 3D environments. Our data indicate that combinatorial regulation of myosin II involving global activation by RhoA/ROCK and local inhibition of myosin II at the leading edge by PKC results in highly efficient chemotaxis of fibroblasts to LPA. Based on these observations, we develop a simple mathematical model to explain how dual regulation of myosin II is responsible for enhanced chemotaxis in LPA gradients relative to PDGF. Using pharmacological approaches, we test predictions of this model and modulate the fidelity of LPA and PDGF chemotaxis.

cell biology↗