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Related Experiment Videos

Astrocyte process growth induction by actin breakdown.

D M Baorto1, W Mellado, M L Shelanski

  • 1Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|April 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary
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Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling triggers astrocyte process growth by reorganizing actin filaments. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and actin depolymerizing factor are key effectors in this process.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cytoskeleton Dynamics

Background:

  • Cultured primary astrocytes exhibit process formation in response to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogues.
  • Process formation involves both cytoplasmic retraction and elongation.
  • Cytoskeletal rearrangements, particularly in actin filaments, are central to this morphological change.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which cAMP analogues induce process formation in astrocytes.
  • To identify the key cytoskeletal elements and signaling pathways involved in astrocytic process growth.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of primary astrocytes with dibutyryl cAMP (dBcAMP).
  • Disruption of cortical actin filaments using dihydrocytochalasin B.
  • Assessment of actin filament organization and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) and actin depolymerizing factor.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) using selective inhibitors (ML-9, KT5926) and a calmodulin antagonist (W7).

    • Main Results:

    • dBcAMP induces astrocyte process formation via elongation and cytoplasmic retraction.
    • A significant rearrangement of actin filaments occurs, with loss of cortical F-actin and accumulation at process tips.
    • Disruption of cortical actin filaments mimics dBcAMP-induced process formation.
    • cAMP-mediated actin reorganization correlates with decreased phosphate incorporation into MLC.
    • MLCK inhibition and calmodulin antagonism also promote astrocytic process growth.
    • dBcAMP and ML-9 decrease phosphate content in actin depolymerizing factor.

    Conclusions:

    • Disruption of the cortical actin network is a pivotal step in dBcAMP-induced astrocyte process formation.
    • Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) acts as a control point in initiating astrocytic process growth.
    • Myosin light chain and actin depolymerizing factor are identified as key effectors mediating actin cytoskeleton reorganization and process outgrowth.