Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscle cells, also called muscle fibers, are distinctly elongated, multi-nucleated, slender biological units. They are packed with specialized structures designed to facilitate their primary function, which is contraction.
The muscle sarcolemma is a plasma membrane enclosing each muscle cell that conducts electrical signals called action potentials. The sarcolemma extends into the cell to form T-tubules, ensuring the neural impulses are uniformly distributed across the entire muscle...

Studying the Cytoskeleton

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex. Formin-mediated assembly results in straight filaments, whereas Arp2/3 protein complex-mediated assembly results in branched actin filaments.
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...

Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles

Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells

The 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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Structural, biophysical and cellular assessment of filamin C M82K: A test case for VUS interpretation in cardiomyopathy.

Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology·2026

Same author

Biomolecular condensation of cMLCK enables myosin motor phosphorylation in the heart.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Vascular smooth muscle cell mechanotransduction: Pathways, phenotypes and emerging technologies.

The Journal of physiology·2026

Same author

Lipoxins Regulate Intercalated Disk-Associated Signaling and Immune Remodeling in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Mitochondrial Adaptation to Mechanical Stress in Cardiac Ageing and Disease.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Same author

Generation of a NRAP-overexpressing mutant from a human iPSC line.

Stem cell research·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Using Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction and Muscle Cells to Visualize Microtubule Network

Using Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction and Muscle Cells to Visualize Microtubule Network

Published on: October 20, 2023

Formin-g muscle cytoarchitecture.

Thomas Iskratsch¹, Elisabeth Ehler

¹King's College London BHF Research Excellence Centre; Muscle Cell Biology Section; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics and The Cardiovascular Division; New Hunt's House; Guy's Campus, London UK.

Bioarchitecture

|August 26, 2011

Summary

A specific muscle formin protein, FHOD3, is crucial for maintaining the regular actin structure in muscle cells. Its phosphorylation enhances stability and aids in repairing cardiac actin filaments, suggesting a role in preventing heart conditions.

More Related Videos

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: August 14, 2021

Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Development using Immunofluorescence in Embryonic Mouse Heart

Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Development using Immunofluorescence in Embryonic Mouse Heart

Published on: March 26, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Using Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction and Muscle Cells to Visualize Microtubule Network

Using Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction and Muscle Cells to Visualize Microtubule Network

Published on: October 20, 2023

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: August 14, 2021

Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Development using Immunofluorescence in Embryonic Mouse Heart

Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Development using Immunofluorescence in Embryonic Mouse Heart

Published on: March 26, 2015

Area of Science:

Muscle biology
Cellular cytoskeleton dynamics
Protein biochemistry

Background:

Striated muscle cells possess a highly organized actin cytoskeleton essential for myofibril function.
The precise mechanisms governing the initiation and maintenance of this actin assembly remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of a specific striated muscle isoform of the formin protein FHOD3 in myofibril maintenance.
To elucidate the impact of CK2 phosphorylation on FHOD3's subcellular localization, stability, and function.

Main Methods:

Analysis of a specific muscle FHOD3 isoform with a CK2 phosphorylation site.
Assessment of subcellular localization and stability of phosphorylated versus unphosphorylated FHOD3.
Evaluation of FHOD3's role in myofibril maintenance in cultured cardiomyocytes.
Investigation of FHOD3's effect on cardiac actin filament reconstitution.

Main Results:

Phosphorylation of muscle FHOD3 at the C-terminal FH2 domain alters its subcellular localization to myofibrils and increases its stability.
Muscle FHOD3 is essential for myofibril maintenance in cardiomyocytes.
FHOD3 significantly enhances the recovery of cardiac actin filaments post-depolymerization.

Conclusions:

Phosphorylated muscle FHOD3 plays a critical role in maintaining cardiac cytoarchitecture.
Decreased levels of muscle FHOD3, observed in cardiomyopathies, suggest its involvement in cardiac dysfunction.
FHOD3 is a key regulator of actin filament organization and stability in striated muscle.