Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
08:28
Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
Published on: November 2, 2018
A role for myosin VII in dynamic cell adhesion
R I Tuxworth1, I Weber, D Wessels
1Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|March 27, 2001
Summary
Myosin VII is crucial for initial cell adhesion to surfaces, impacting both particle uptake during phagocytosis and cell migration. This study reveals a new role for this unconventional myosin in fundamental cell processes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Motors
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Phagocytosis and cell motility share similarities in their initial stages.
- Both processes involve actin-dependent membrane extension and adhesion to a surface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of myosin VII in phagocytosis and cell migration.
- To elucidate the function of unconventional myosins in cell-substratum adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a myosin VII null mutant to assess adhesion and uptake defects.
- Employed GFP-myosin VII for rescue experiments and localization studies.
- Observed cellular behavior during phagocytosis and cell migration.
Main Results:
- Myosin VII null mutants showed significantly reduced particle adhesion and uptake.
- Defects in cell-cell adhesion and leading-edge substratum adhesion were observed in null cells.
- GFP-myosin VII localized to filopod tips, phagocytic cups, and the leading edge during migration.
Conclusions:
- Myosin VII is essential for the initial binding of cells to surfaces.
- This represents a novel function for an unconventional myosin in cell adhesion.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Overview of Myosin Structure and Function
Myosins are a family of molecular motor proteins, first identified in the skeletal muscles, where they are responsible for muscle contraction. Along with their role in muscle contraction, these proteins also play a role in the intracellular transport of molecules and vesicles. There are twenty-four classes of myosins based on their domain sequence and organization. Of the twenty-four, six classes (Myosin I, Myosin II, Myosin V, Myosin VI, Myosin VII, and Myosin X) have been well characterized.
01:10The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells
Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within the sarcomere of muscle cells). The mechanism of non-muscle cell contractile bundles was first observed in Dictyostelium and Acanthamoeba. In non-muscle cells, two bundles are commonly found: stress fibers and actomyosin adherence belts. These contractile bundles are smaller and less organized than the ones found in muscle cells. They are held...
01:16Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
01:18Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
01:02Role of Septins
Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
01:26Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...