Prokaryotic origin of the actin cytoskeleton.

It was thought until recently that bacteria lack the actin or tubulin filament networks that organize eukaryotic cytoplasm. However, we show here that the bacterial MreB protein assembles into filaments with a subunit repeat similar to that of F-actin-the physiological polymer of eukaryotic actin. By elucidating the MreB crystal structure we demonstrate that MreB and actin are very similar in three dimensions. Moreover, the crystals contain protofilaments, allowing visualization of actin-like strands at atomic resolution. The structure of the MreB protofilament is in remarkably good agreement with the model for F-actin, showing that the proteins assemble in identical orientations. The actin-like properties of MreB explain the finding that MreB forms large fibrous spirals under the cell membrane of rod-shaped cells, where they are involved in cell-shape determination. Thus, prokaryotes are now known to possess homologues both of tubulin, namely FtsZ, and of actin.     

Formins： Bringing new insights to the organization of actin cytoskeleton

The actin cytoskeleton is an important component of eukaryotic cell cytoskeleton and is temporally and spatially controlled by a series of actin binding proteins (ABPs). Among ABPs, formin family proteins have attracted much attention as they can nucleate unbranched actin filament from the profilin bound actin pool in vivo. In recent years, a number of formin family members from different organisms have been reported, and their characteristics are known more clearly, although some questions are still to be clarified. Here, we summarize the structures, func-tions and nucleation mechanisms of different formin family proteins, intending to compare them and give some new clues to the study of formins.     

Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in yeast capping protein mutants

Capping protein controls the addition of actin subunits to the barbed end of actin filaments and nucleates actin polymerization in vitro. Capping protein has been identified in all eukaryotic cells examined so far; it is a heterodimer with subunits of relative molecular masses 32,000-36,000 (alpha-subunit) and 28,000-32,000 (beta-subunit). In skeletal muscle, capping protein (CapZ) probably binds the barbed ends of actin filaments at the Z line. The in vivo role of this protein in non-muscle cells is not known. We report here the characterization of CAP2, the single gene encoding the beta-subunit of capping protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cells in which the CAP2 gene was disrupted by an insertion or a deletion had an abnormal actin distribution, including the loss of actin cables. The mutant cells were round and large, with a heterogeneous size distribution, and, although viable, grew more slowly than congenic wild-type cells. Chitin, a cell wall component restricted to the mother-bud junction in wild-type budding yeast, was found on the entire mother cell surface in the mutants. The phenotype of CAP2 disruption resembled that of temperature-sensitive mutations in the yeast actin gene ACT1, indicating that capping protein regulates actin-filament distribution in vivo.     

Mechanism of regulation of WAVE1-induced actin nucleation by Rac1 and Nck

Rac signalling to actin -- a pathway that is thought to be mediated by the protein Scar/WAVE (WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein)-family verprolin homologous protein -- has a principal role in cell motility. In an analogous pathway, direct interaction of Cdc42 with the related protein N-WASP stimulates actin polymerization. For the Rac-WAVE pathway, no such direct interaction has been identified. Here we report a mechanism by which Rac and the adapter protein Nck activate actin nucleation through WAVE1. WAVE1 exists in a heterotetrameric complex that includes orthologues of human PIR121 (p53-inducible messenger RNA with a relative molecular mass (M(r)) of 140,000), Nap125 (NCK-associated protein with an M(r) of 125,000) and HSPC300. Whereas recombinant WAVE1 is constitutively active, the WAVE1 complex is inactive. We therefore propose that Rac1 and Nck cause dissociation of the WAVE1 complex, which releases active WAVE1-HSPC300 and leads to actin nucleation.     

Dynamics and functions of the actin cytoskeleton during the plant cell cycle

In eukaryotic cells, the course of the cell cycle depends on correct cytoskeleton arrangement. The cell cycle consists of several phases, and in each of them the cytoskeleton has a unique structure and set of characteristics. The dynamics of the cytoskeleton together with its binding proteins greatly contribute to progression of the cell cycle. Here, we mainly review recent research on the dynamic distribution of the actin cytoskeleton and actin-binding proteins, and the mechanisms by which they affect the ...     

Dynamic organization of actin cytoskeleton during the polarity formation and germination of pollen protoplasts

The formation of the polarity of pollen protoplast and the dynamics of actin cytoskeleton were observed by non-fixation, Alexa-Phalloidin probing and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Our results showed that the protoplast obtained from stored pollen contained numerous crystalline fusiform bodies to constitute a storage form of actin. When dormant pollen was hydrated, the actin cytoskeleton forms a fine network spreading uniformly in the protoplast. In the process of polarity formation and germination of pollen protoplast, actin filaments marshaled slowly to the brim, and then formed multilayer continuous actin filament bundles surrounding the cortical of the protoplast. When the protoplast was exposed to actin filament-disrupting drugs, such as Latrunculin A and Cytochalasin D, continuously arranged actin bundles were disturbed and in this condition, the protoplast could not germinate. But when exposed to actin filament stabiling drug-phalliodin, the dynamics of actin filaments in the protoplasts behaved normally and the protoplasts could germinate normally. These results were also confirmed by the pharmacology experiments on pollen grains. And when Latrunculin A or Cytochalasin D was washed off, the ratio of pollen germination was resumed partly. All the results above show that the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton are critical in the cell polarity formation and germination of pollen protoplast, and that the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton is mainly due to the rearrangement of actin filament arrays.     

Diacylglycerol in large alpha-actinin/actin complexes and in the cytoskeleton of activated platelets

The interaction of the cytoskeleton with plasma membranes may be mediated by vinculin, alpha-actinin and other proteins; alpha-actinin can interact specifically with model membranes only if they contain diacylglycerol and palmitic acid. On stimulation of platelets by thrombin, which leads to a reorganization of the cytoskeleton, diacylglycerol is produced rapidly, simultaneously with the disappearance of phosphatidylinositol. One important function of the diacylglycerol produced in platelets may be the activation of the Ca2+-and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. We show here that, in the presence of diacylglycerol and palmitic acid, a supramolecular complex between alpha-actinin and actin is formed in vitro. In the electron microscope, this complex displays substructures similar to those of microfilament bundles in vivo. Furthermore, such alpha-actinin/lipid complexes can also be formed in situ during the stimulation of blood platelet aggregation. Thus, alpha-actinin may be one of the proteins directly involved in structures connecting the cytoskeleton to cell membranes.     

Regulation of actin polymerization by non-polymerizable actin-like proteins

Three functionally distinct actin-capping proteins from the slime mould Physarum are structurally closely related to actin itself. In Physarum, actin polymerization is regulated by a set of non-polymerizable actin-like proteins. It remains to be established whether these proteins and actin are each encoded by separate genes.     

Effects of nitrogen ion implantation on lily pollen germination and the distribution of the actin cytoskeleton during pollen germination

The effects of low energy nitrogen ion implantation on lily (Lilium davidii Duch.) pollen germination and the distribution of the actin cytoskeleton during pollen germination have been studied. Preliminary results showed that the ratio of pollen germination increased from (16.0± 1.6)% to (27.0±2.1)% when implanted with nitrogen ions by 100 keV and a dose of 10¹³ ions/cm². Further experiments were performed by staining the actin filaments in pollen with rhodamine-phalloidin and detected by using laser confocol microscopy. After hydration for 10 h, the actin filaments in ion implanted pollen grains tended to form thick bundles oriented in parallel or ring shape at the germinal furrow, indicating that the effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the germination of pollen might be mediated by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.     

基于链路预测算法分析虚假链接问题

链路预测与虚假链接是复杂网络的两大研究热点,目前为止,链路预测方法的研究已经非常成熟,而对于虚假链接的研究却仍旧没有得到太多的关注.根据链路预测与虚假链接的联系,用17种经典的链接预测算法,研究了这些算法在8个真实网络数据集中的识别虚假链接效果.实验结果表明,这些算法在识别虚假链接中的AUC值明显低于在链接预测中的AUC值;并且随着测试集比例的增加,在给定某个算法和数据集上,AUC值逐渐降低.     

古籍整理至关重要的一环——校勘

古籍整理是一项复杂、艰苦而又极具意义的文化活动.断句、标点、校勘、注释、今译、编选等都属于古籍整理的范畴,校勘是其中最为关键的一环,因为它关乎是非问题.校勘自文献诞生便产生,最初被称为校雠,很多知名学者曾涉猎过该领域,包括孔子、欧阳修等,校勘活动所具有的文化和历史意义要求人们必须正确看待它.     

Reversible association of myosin with the platelet cytoskeleton

Platelets circulating in the human blood stream are smooth disk-shaped structures. The disks change within seconds of exposure to ADP or thrombin to irregular spheres bearing filopodia and pseudopodia. It is well-established that platelets also change shape (although more slowly) when chilled to 5 degrees C and revert to disks on rewarming. This cold-induced shape change may be due to the depolymerization of the submembranous microtubule ring. However, we found that chilling in the presence of Taxol, which stabilizes the microtubules, still results in shape change. Chilled platelets show an increase in the amount of myosin in the Triton-X insoluble residue or 'cytoskeleton' which is correlated in time both with phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain and with the induced shape change. We suggest here that the slow cold-induced change from disks to spheres is due primarily to a gradual activation of myosin.     

Atomic model of the actin filament

The F-actin filament has been constructed from the atomic structure of the actin monomer to fit the observed X-ray fibre diagram from oriented gels of F-actin. A unique orientation of the monomer with respect to the actin helix has been found. The main interactions are along the two-start helix with a contribution from a loop extending across the filament axis provided by the molecule in the adjacent strand. There are also contacts along the left-handed genetic helix.     

Negative regulation of lymphocyte activation and autoimmunity by the molecular adaptor Cbl-b

The signalling thresholds of antigen receptors and co-stimulatory receptors determine immunity or tolerance to self molecules. Changes in co-stimulatory pathways can lead to enhanced activation of lymphocytes and autoimmunity, or the induction of clonal anergy. The molecular mechanisms that maintain immunotolerance in vivo and integrate co-stimulatory signals with antigen receptor signals in T and B lymphocytes are poorly understood. Members of the Cbl/Sli family of molecular adaptors function downstream from growth factor and antigen receptors. Here we show that gene-targeted mice lacking the adaptor Cbl-b develop spontaneous autoimmunity characterized by auto-antibody production, infiltration of activated T and B lymphocytes into multiple organs, and parenchymal damage. Resting cbl-b(-/-) lymphocytes hyperproliferate upon antigen receptor stimulation, and cbl-b(-/-) T cells display specific hyperproduction of the T-cell growth factor interleukin-2, but not interferon-gamma or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Mutation of Cbl-b uncouples T-cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production and phosphorylation of the GDP/GTP exchange factor Vav1 from the requirement for CD28 co-stimulation. Cbl-b is thus a key regulator of activation thresholds in mature lymphocytes and immunological tolerance and autoimmunity.     

Direct observation of dendritic actin filament networks nucleated by Arp2/3 complex and WASP/Scar proteins

Most nucleated cells crawl about by extending a pseudopod that is driven by the polymerization of actin filaments in the cytoplasm behind the leading edge of the plasma membrane. These actin filaments are linked into a network by Y-branches, with the pointed end of each filament attached to the side of another filament and the rapidly growing barbed end facing forward. Because Arp2/3 complex nucleates actin polymerization and links the pointed end to the side of another filament in vitro, a dendritic nucleation model has been proposed in which Arp2/3 complex initiates filaments from the sides of older filaments. Here we report, by using a light microscopy assay, many new features of the mechanism. Branching occurs during, rather than after, nucleation by Arp2/3 complex activated by the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) or Scar protein; capping protein and profilin act synergistically with Arp2/3 complex to favour branched nucleation; phosphate release from aged actin filaments favours dissociation of Arp2/3 complex from the pointed ends of filaments; and branches created by Arp2/3 complex are relatively rigid. These properties result in the automatic assembly of the branched actin network after activation by proteins of the WASP/Scar family and favour the selective disassembly of proximal regions of the network.