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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Actin01:26

Introduction to Actin

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Actin is a highly conserved cytoskeletal protein found abundantly in eukaryotic cells. It constitutes 10% weight of the total cellular protein in muscle cells, while in non-muscle cells, it is lower and makes up around 1–5 percent of the total cell protein. Actin found in the unicellular amoebae and complex multicellular animals is around 80% similar, demonstrating their conservation over a billion years of evolution.  Actin coding genes are conserved within species and across...
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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
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Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments01:14

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

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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...
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Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

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The polymerization of G-actin monomers into filamentous F-actin is a multi-step process. Once the F-actins are formed, they can bundle together in different arrangements to form higher-order networks and regulate cellular functions. Common examples include the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia at the cell's leading edge by actin reorganization in a migrating cell. The microvilli on the brush border epithelial cells are also formed through the F-actin network.
The high-order actin...
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Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification01:29

Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification

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Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
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Actin Polymerization01:42

Actin Polymerization

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Actin polymerization occurs through the head-to-tail association of binding sites on monomeric actin or G-actin to form filamentous or F-actin. The polymerization can be divided into three phases ̶  nucleation, elongation, and steady-state phase.
The nucleation phase involves forming a stable nucleus consisting of three actin monomers to form a new actin filament. Actin-binding proteins such as formins and Arp2/3 complex help filament growth post-nucleation. The Formins form straight...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

A Time-Efficient Fluorescence Spectroscopy-Based Assay for Evaluating Actin Polymerization Status in Rodent and Human Brain Tissues
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Intranuclear Actin Regulates Osteogenesis.

Buer Sen1, Zhihui Xie1, Gunes Uzer1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)
|July 4, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Depolymerizing actin cytoskeleton in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) drives G-actin into the nucleus, promoting osteogenic differentiation. This intranuclear actin accumulation enhances bone formation, offering potential clinical applications.

Keywords:
BoneCofilinCytoskeletonImportin 9Mesenchymal stem cellsRunx2Yes-associated protein

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Actin cytoskeleton dynamics regulate nuclear events and gene transcription.
  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess multipotent differentiation capabilities.
  • Nuclear translocation of cytoplasmic factors influences cell fate decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of intranuclear actin in MSC differentiation.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking actin depolymerization to osteogenesis.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of inducing intranuclear actin for bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treated with cytochalasin D to induce actin depolymerization.
  • Immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy to visualize intranuclear actin.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR to assess gene expression (osterix, osteocalcin).
  • Western blotting to analyze protein levels (Runx2, YAP).
  • In vivo studies involving injection of cytochalasin D into mouse tibial marrow.

Main Results:

  • Cytochalasin D treatment induced rapid, cofilin-/importin-9-dependent nuclear import of G-actin in MSCs.
  • Intranuclear actin formed rod-like structures and was associated with robust upregulation of osteogenic genes (osterix, osteocalcin) in a Runx2-dependent manner.
  • Nuclear actin promoted osteogenic differentiation and partially adipogenic differentiation.
  • Intranuclear actin induced nuclear export of YAP, which normally inhibits Runx2-mediated osteogenesis.
  • Intramarrow injection of cytochalasin D in mice led to significant bone formation within one week.

Conclusions:

  • Increased intranuclear actin drives MSCs toward an osteogenic lineage by modulating Runx2 activity.
  • The nuclear actin-osteogenesis pathway, influenced by YAP, presents a novel mechanism for controlling bone formation.
  • This finding suggests a promising therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration and clinical applications.