Actin in B16 melanoma cells of differing metastatic potential : Effects of trypsin and serum

Actin is present in cells in monomeric and polymeric (filamentous) forms. Filamentous actin is distributed in Triton-soluble (cytosolic) and Triton-insoluble (cytoskeletal core) fractions. We have used the DNase 1 inhibition assay and immunofluorescence to investigate the distribution of actin in monomeric and polymeric forms in cloned B16 murine melanoma cell lines of low and high metastatic capacity. The protease trypsin caused rounding up and detachment of both cell lines within 5 min. This was associated with almost complete depolymerization of cytosolic actin filaments but the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton was not quantitatively affected by trypsin treatment. There were quantitative differences between the clones in their response to incubation in the presence or absence of 10% serum. The highly metastatic cell line contained 35% more actin when incubated in the presence of 10% serum, almost completely distributed to the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton, an effect not seen in the low metastatic cells.     

Association of deoxyribonuclease I with the pointed ends of actin filaments in human red blood cell membrane skeletons

We have characterized the interaction of bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) with the filamentous (F-)actin of red cell membrane skeletons stabilized with phalloidin. The hydrolysis of [3H]DNA was used to assay DNase I. We found that DNase I bound to a homogenous class of approximately equal to 2.4 X 10(4) sites/skeleton with an association rate constant of approximately 1 X 10(6) M-1 S-1 and a KD of 1.9 X 10(-9) M at 20 degrees C. Phalloidin lowered the dissociation constant by approximately 1 order of magnitude. The DNase I which sedimented with the skeletons was catalytically inactive but could be reactivated by dissociation from the actin. Actin and DNA bound to DNase I in a mutually exclusive fashion without formation of a ternary complex. Phalloidin-treated red cell F-actin resembled rabbit muscle G-actin in all respects tested. Since the DNase I binding capacity of the skeletons corresponded to the number of actin protofilaments previously estimated by other methods, it seemed likely that the enzyme binding site was confined to one end of the filament. We confirmed this premise by showing that elongating the red cell filaments with rabbit muscle actin monomers did not appreciably add to their capacity to bind or inhibit DNase I. Saturation of skeletons with cytochalasin D or gelsolin, avid ligands for the barbed end of actin filaments, did not reduce their binding of DNase I. Furthermore, neither cytochalasin D nor DNase I alone blocked all of the sites for addition of monomeric pyrene-labeled rabbit muscle G-actin to phalloidin-treated skeletons; however, a combination of the two agents did so. In the presence of phalloidin, the polymerization of 300 nM pyrenyl actin on nuclei constructed from 5 nM gelsolin and 25 nM rabbit muscle G-actin was completely inhibited by 35 nM DNase I but not by 35 nM cytochalasin D. We conclude that DNase I associates uniquely with and caps the pointed (slow-growing or negative) end of F-actin. These results imply that the amino-terminal, DNase I-binding domain of the actin protomer is oriented toward the pointed end and is buried along the length of the actin filament.     

A DNase I binding/immunoprecipitation assay for actin

An actin assay which employs the competition between labeled and unlabeled rabbit skeletal muscle actin for DNase I has been developed. Iodination of actin by the method of Bolton and Hunter results in the incorporation of approximately 0.5 mol of 125-iodine/incorporation of approximately 0.5 mol of 125-iodine/mol of actin. This 125I-actin retained the ability to bind to DNase I and inhibit enzymatic activity. The 125I-actin-DNase complex can be precipitated by the addition of a monospecific rabbit antibody to DNase I. The efficiency of this immunoprecipitation step is improved by the use of a second sheep anti-rabbit gamma-globulin. Using this immunoprecipitation assay, there is a linear displacement of the DNase I-bound 125I-actin by rabbit skeletal muscle actin standards or by the actin present in tissue and cell extracts. Using 17.5 ng of DNase I and approximately 500 pg of 125I-actin, 50% inhibition of binding was obtained with 23 ng of unlabeled actin. Reducing the amount of DNase I to 2 ng results in 50% inhibition of binding with 4 ng of unlabeled actin and an increase in the estimated sensitivity of the assay from 1.7 to 0.24 ng. The slopes of the displacement curves generated with both vertebrate and invertebrate non-muscle actins are parallel to rabbit skeletal muscle actin. This observation indicates approximately equal actin-DNase I binding affinities and suggests a high degree of conservation of the actin-DNase I binding site. The assay is useful for measuring the pools of F- and G-actin in a wide range of cells.     

Cytoskeletal organization and cell motility correlates with metastatic potential and state of differentiation in prostate cancer.

The actin cytoskeleton is the key cellular machinery responsible for cellular movement. Changes in the organization and distribution of actin and actin binding protein are necessary for several cellular processes such as focal adhesion formation, cell motility and cell invasion. Here we examined differences in cytoskeletal protein distribution, cell morphometry and cell motility of metastatic and non-metastatic cells. Correlations were found between metastatic potential phenotypic properties such as cell motility, cell spreading and cytoskeletal organization in prostate cancer. As a cell progresses from a normal state to a malignant state, it loses its ability to function normally and also become poorly differentiated. Differentiation therapy is concerned with the redirection of malignant cells toward a terminal, non-dividing state using non-cytotoxic agents. Two well acknowledged differentiation agents, retinoic acid (RA) and diflouromethylomithine (DFMO) were examined for their ability to alter cellular phenotypes associated with metastatic potential in rat prostate cancer cell lines. The results of these studies indicate that there are sub-cellular differences between non-metastatic and highly metastatic cells relative to cytoskeletal organization. We also show that treatment of highly metastatic cells with either RA or DFMO significantly alters cell morphology, cell morphometry and motility to states similar to non-metastatic cells.     

Effects of isoflurane on the DNase I activity in an isolated enzyme preparation and on the DNase I-G actin complex

Effects of isoflurane on the DNase I activity in an isolated enzyme preparation and in the DNase I-globular (G) actin complex were investigated. DNase I, DNase I-G actin complex, and G actin were exposed to various (0.2-4.0 vol%) isoflurane concentrations for 180 min. Thereafter, DNase I activity was determined. DNase I activity was inhibited in relation to time and concentration of isoflurane exposure. At concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 vol% of isoflurane inactive DNase I was activated in the DNase I-G actin complex. The DNase I inhibitor G actin showed a reduced capability to inhibit DNase I following isoflurane exposure. Albumin can inhibit the DNase I inactivation possibly by competition in the reactions between DNase I/albumin and isoflurane. After exposure to isoflurane the absorption maximum of DNase I was identical with the absorption maximum of heat-denatured DNase I. The results suggest a mechanism by which isoflurane may affect DNA in an indirect way at concentrations to which the patient is exposed during clinical anesthesia.     

Isolation, characterisation and crystallization of deoxyribonuclease I from bovine and rat parotid gland and its interaction with rabbit skeletal muscle actin

A purification procedure is described yielding DNase I from bovine and rat parotid glands of high homogeneity. The apparent molecular masses of the DNases I isolated have been found by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 34 and 32 kDa for bovine and rat parotid DNase I, respectively, and thus differ from the enzyme isolated from bovine pancreas (31 kDa). By a number of different criteria concerning their enzymic behaviour, the isolated enzymes could be clearly classified as DNases I, i.e. endonucleolytic activity preferentially on native double-stranded DNA yielding 5'-oligonucleotides, a pH optimum at about 8.0, the dependence of their enzymic activity on divalent metal ions, their inhibition by 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid and by skeletal muscle actin. Comparison of their primary structure by analysis of their amino acid composition and also two-dimensional fingerprints and isoelectric focusing indicate gross similarities between the enzymes isolated from bovine pancreas and parotid, but distinct species differences, i.e. between the enzymes isolated from bovine and rat parotid. All the DNases I are glycoproteins. From bovine parotid DNase I crystals suitable for X-ray structure analysis could be obtained. The DNases I from both parotid sources specifically interact with monomeric actin forming 1:1 stoichiometric complexes. Their binding constants to monomeric actin differ, being 2 X 10(8) M-1 and 5.5 X 10(6) M-1 for bovine and rat parotid DNase I, respectively. Only the enzyme isolated from bovine sources is able to depolymerize filamentous actin.     

MICROHETEROGENEITY OF BRAIN CYTOPLASMIC AND SYNAPTOPLASMIC ACTINS

Abstract— Actin present in whole rat brain cytoplasm and in synaptosomes was purified by DNase I affinity chromatography. By use of two-dimensional gels and one-dimensional isoelectric focusing gels, brain actin was shown to be composed of two isomeric forms. By comparison with muscle actins, brain actins were identified as the β and γ isomers. Muscle type α actin is not present in brain. Synaptosomal protein with high affinity for DNase I is primarily composed of β and γ actin, however, two minor synaptosomal proteins, S₁ and S₂, with similar DNase I affinity were also isolated. S₁1 and S₂ have the same apparent molecular weight as whole brain actin, are more acidic than the major actin forms and are distinct from a actin. Relative to β and γ actin, the content of S₁ and S₂ is 3-fOld greater in synaptosomes when compared to similar non-synaptosomal species. The results demonstrate heterogeneity of brain actins and compartmentalization of brain proteins with high affinity for DNase I at the synapse. It was also shown that tubulin has selective affinity for the DNase I-actin complex.     

Effect of Hypothyroidism on Different Forms of Actin in Rat Cerebral Neuronal Cultures Studied by an Improved DNase I Inhibition Assay

An improved DNase I inhibition assay for the filamentous actin (F-actin) and monomeric actin (G-actin) in brain cells has been developed. Unlike other methods, the cell lysis conditions and postlysis treatments, established by us, inhibited the temporal inactivation of actin in the cell lysate and maintained a stable F-actin/G-actin ratio for at least 4-5 h after lysis. The new procedure allowed separate quantitation of the noncytoskeletal F-actin in the Triton-soluble fraction (12,000 g, 10 min supernatant) that did not readily sediment with the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletal F-actin (12,000 g, 10 min pellet). We have applied this modified assay system to study the effect of hypothyroidism on different forms of actin using primary cultures of neurons derived from cerebra of neonatal normal and hypothyroid rats. Our results showed a 20% increase in the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletal F-actin in cultures from hypothyroid brain relative to normal controls. In the Triton-soluble fraction, containing the G-actin and the noncytoskeletal F-actin, cultures from hypothyroid brain showed a 15% increase in G-actin, whereas the F-actin remained unaltered. The 10% increase in total actin observed in this fraction from hypothyroid brain could be totally accounted for by the enhancement of G-actin. The mean F-actin/G-actin ratio in this fraction was about 30% higher in the cultures from normal brain compared to that of the hypothyroid system, which indicates that hypothyroidism tends to decrease the proportion of noncytoskeletal F-actin relative to G-actin.     

Three-dimensional structure of the complex of actin and DNase I at 4.5 A resolution.

The shape of an actin subunit has been derived from an improved 6 A map of the complex of rabbit skeletal muscle actin and bovine pancreatic DNase I obtained by X-ray crystallographic methods. The three-dimensional structure of DNase I determined independently at 2.5 A resolution was compared with the DNase I electron density in the actin:DNase map. The two structures are very similar at 6 A resolution thus leading to an unambiguous identification of actin as well as DNase I electron density. Furthermore the correct hand of the actin structure is determined from the DNase I atomic structure. The resolution of the actin structure was extended to 4.5 A by using a single heavy-atom derivative and the knowledge of the atomic coordinates of DNase I. The dimensions of an actin subunit are 67 A X 40 A X 37 A. It consists of a small and a large domain, the small domain containing the N terminus. Actin is an alpha,beta-protein with a beta-pleated sheet in each domain. These sheets are surrounded by several alpha-helices, comprising at least 40% of the structure. The phosphate peak of the adenine nucleotide is located between the two domains. The complex of actin and DNase I as found in solution (i.e., the actin:DNase I contacts which do not depend on crystal packing) was deduced from a comparison of monoclinic with orthorhombic crystals. Residues 44-46, 51, 52, 60-62 of DNase I are close to a loop region in the small domain of actin. At a distance of approximately 15 A there is a second contact in the large domain in which Glu13 of DNase I is involved. A possible binding region for myosin is discussed.     

Post-translational processing of the amino terminus affects actin function

We have studied the importance of N-terminal processing for normal actin function using the Drosophila Act88F actin gene transcribed and translated in vitro. Despite having different charges as determined by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis, Act88F expressed in vivo and in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysate bind to DNase I with equal affinity and are able to copolymerise with bulk rabbit actin equally well. Using peptide mapping and thin-layer electrophoresis we have shown that bestatin [( 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-butanoyl]-L-leucine), an inhibitor of aminopeptidases, can inhibit actin N-terminal processing in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Although processed and unprocessed actins translated in vitro are able to bind to DNase I equally well, unprocessed actins are less able to copolymerise with bulk actins. This effect is more pronounced when bulk rabbit actin is used but is still seen with bulk Lethocerus actin. Also, the unprocessed actins reduce the polymerisation of the processed actin translated in vitro with the bulk rabbit actin. This suggests that individual actins do interact, even in non-polymerising conditions. The reduced ability of unprocessed actin to polymerise shows that correct post-translational modification of the N terminus is required for normal actin function.     

The N-terminal fragment of gelsolin inhibits the interaction of DNase I with isolated actin, but not with the cofilin-actin complex

Apoptosis is essential in embryonic development, clonal selection of cells of the immune system and in the prevention of cancer. Apoptotic cells display characteristic changes in morphology that precede the eventual fragmentation of nuclear DNA resulting in cell death. Current evidence implicates DNase I as responsible for hydrolysis of DNA during apoptosis. In vivo, it is likely that cytoplasmic actin binds and inhibits the enzymatic activity and nuclear translocation of DNase I and that disruption of the actin-DNase I complex results in activation of DNase I. In this report we demonstrate that the N-terminal fragment of gelsolin (N-gelsolin) disrupts the actin-DNase I interaction. This provides a molecular mechanism for the role of the N-gelsolin in regulating DNase I activity. We also show that cofilin stabilises the actin-DNase I complex by forming a ternary complex that prevents N-gelsolin from releasing DNase I from actin. We suggest that both cofilin and gelsolin are essential in modulating the release of DNase I from actin.     

The distribution of cofilin and DNase I in vivo

Actin is the principal component of the cytoskeleton, a structure that can be disassembled and reassembled in a matter of seconds in vivo. The state of assembly of actin in vivo is primarily regulated by one or more actin binding proteins (ABPs). Typically, the actions of ABPs have been studied one by one, however, we propose that multiple ABPs, acting cooperatively, may be involved in the control of actin filament length. Cofilin and DNase I are two ABPs that have previously been demonstrated to form a ternary complex with actin in vitro. This is the first report to demonstrate their co-localisation in vivo, and differences in their distributions. Our observations strongly suggest a physiological role for higher order complexes of actin in regulation of cytoskeletal assembly during processes such as cell division.     

Purification and characterization of a nonpolymerizing long-pitch actin dimer.

Atomic resolution structures of filamentous actin have not been obtained owing to the self-association of actin under crystallization conditions. Obtaining short filamentous actin complexes of defined lengths is therefore a highly desirable goal. Here we report the production and isolation of a long-pitch actin dimer employing chemical crosslinking between wild-type actin and Q41C/C374A mutant actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin possessed altered polymerization properties, with a 2-fold reduction in the rate of elongation and an increased critical concentration relative to wild-type actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin also displayed an increase in the IC50 for DNase I, a pointed-end actin-binding protein. The long-pitch dimer was bound by DNase I to prevent polymerization and purified. It was found that each actin dimer is bound by 2 DNase I molecules, 1 likely bound to each of the actin protomers. The long-pitch dimer bound by DNase I did not form short F actin structures, as assessed by the binding of rhodamine-phalloidin.     

The distribution of cofilin and DNase I in vivo

Actin is the principal component of the cytoskeleton, a structure that can be disassembled and reassembled in a matter of seconds in vivo. The state of assembly of actin in vivo is primarily regulated by one or more actin binding proteins (ABPs). Typically, the actions of ABPs have been studied one by one, however, we propose that multiple ABPs, acting cooperatively, may be involved in the control of actin filament length. Cofilin and DNase I are two ABPs that have previously been demonstrated to form a ternary complex with actin in vitro. This is the first report to demonstrate their co-localisation in vivo, and differences in their distributions. Our observations strongly suggest a physiological role for higher order complexes of actin in regulation of cytoskeletal assembly during processes such as cell division.     

Actin polymerization and synthesis in cultured neurones

The protein content of sympathetic neurones explanted from 10–11-day old chick embryos into culture medium containing nerve growth factor (NGF) increases steadily from about 100 to about 400 pg/cell in 7 days. Actin remains at close to 5% of the total protein during this period, but the proportion of unpolymerized actin falls. As measured by the inhibition of DNase I activity, rounded neurones without neurites contain 70 ± 7% of their total actin in monomeric form, whereas cells in mature, neurite-bearing cultures contain 39 ± 7%. When allowance is made for the increase in size of the neuronal cell bodies, the actin present in the neurites (‘axons’) alone is found to be almost entirely in filamentous form.Cultures exposed to radioactive leucine rapidly incorporate radioactivity into both sedimentable and non-sedimentable forms of actin. Actin-specific activities in the two fractions—estimated after isolation of the actin on small DNase I—Sepharose affinity columns—are similar after labelling for less than 1 h. Direct incorporation of newly-synthesized actin into filaments is suggested from these results.Pulse-chase experiments show that non-sedimentable protein in cultured sympathetic neurones turns over more rapidly than sedimentable protein. However, this is not true for actin, which shows a similar specific activity in sedimentable and non-sedimentable forms—even after 6 days of cold chase. This anomalous behaviour is simply explained by an exchange of actin molecules between filamentous and non-filamentous forms. Control experiments indicate that exchange does not occur to this degree during preparation of subcellular fractions. It is consequently attributed to exchange processes in the living cell.     

The effects of halothane on the DNase I activity in an isolated enzyme preparation and in the DNase I-G actin complex

The effects of halothane on the DNase I activity in an isolated enzyme preparation and in a DNase I-globular (G) actin complex was investigated. DNase I, DNase I-G actin complexes and G actin were exposed to various (0.2–4.0 vol./%) halothane concentrations for 3 h. Thereafter, DNase I was mixed with a DNA solution and the extinction of the acid soluble supernatant of the DNase I assay was determined as a measure of DNase I activity. After 10 min of halothane exposure the DNase I activity is inhibited in direct proportion to halothane concentrations between 0.6 and 4.0 vol/%. After 10 min halothane activates inactive DNase I by inhibiting G actin, an inhibitor of DNase I. G actin, exposed to halothane, does not inhibit the activity of DNase I. The results suggest a mechanism by which halothane may contribute to chromosomal defects and disturbances of DNA metabolism in cells.     

The Isolation of Actin from Pea Roots by DNase I Affinity Chromatography

Native actin can be isolated from pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots by DNase I affinity chromatography, but the resulting yields and quality of actin are variable. By use of two assays for actin, a DNase I inhibition assay and a gel scanning assay, we identified several factors that increased actin yield. ATP is required for the actin in crude pea root extracts to bind to immobilized DNase I. Low amounts of ATP are hydrolyzed rapidly by an endogenous ATPase in the extract, and the actin then irreversibly loses the ability to bind to DNase I. High ATP concentrations (5-10 mm) or inhibition of the ATPase (with 10 mm pyrophosphate) are required for pea actin to retain DNase I binding ability. When adequate amounts of ATP are present, actin binding from the extract is further enhanced by basic pH, formamide, and soluble polyvinyl-pyrrolidone. Once actin is bound to the DNase I-agarose and washed free of extract, high ATP concentrations are not required to keep actin bound. Actin eluted from the DNase I-agarose with formamide retained its ability to polymerize into filaments with the addition of KCl and Mg²⁺. The advantages and disadvantages of this procedure and its application to other plant materials are discussed.     

The distribution of cofilin and Dnase I in vivo

Actin is the principal component of the cytoskeleton, a structure that can be disassembled and reassem-bled in a matter of seconds in vivo. The state of assembly of actin in vivo is primarily regulated by one ormore actin binding proteins (ABPs). Typically, the actions of ABPs have been studied one by one, however,we propose that multiple ABPs, acting cooperatively, may be involved in the control of actin filament length.Cofilin and DNase I are two ABPs that have previously been demonstrated to form a ternary complex withactin in vitro. This is the first report to demonstrate their co-localisation in vivo, and differences in theirdistributions. Our observations strongly suggest a physiological role for higher order complexes of actin inregulation of cytoskeletal assembly during processes such as cell division.     

The role of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of steroidogenesis

The slow step in steroid synthesis involves the transport of cholesterol from lipid droplets in the cytoplasm to the first enzyme in the pathway—the cytochrome P450 that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone (P450scc) which is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. ACTH stimulates this intracellular transport of cholesterol in adrenal cells (Y-1 mouse adrenal tumour cells and cultured bovine fasciculata cells) and this effect of the trophic hormone is inhibited by cytochalasins, by anti-actin antibodies and DNase I suggesting that the response to ACTH requires a pool of monomeric (G-) actin that can be polymerized to F-actin. Recent studies have shown that lipid droplets and mitochondria of adrenal cells are both attached to intermediate filaments. Moreover ACTH reorganizes the cytoskeleton and changes the shape of the cell. These observations suggest a mechanism for transport of cholesterol that involves reorganization and contraction of actin microfilaments which may, in turn, cause movement of droplets and mitochondria together through their common attachment to intermediate filaments.