Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Purification of the Dendritic Filopodia-rich Fraction
11:51

Purification of the Dendritic Filopodia-rich Fraction

Published on: May 2, 2019

5.7K

Glycerol monolaurate induces filopodia formation by disrupting the association between LAT and SLP-76 microclusters

Michael S Zhang1, Phuong M Tran1, Alexander J Wolff1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

Science Signaling
|May 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) suppresses T cell function by disrupting actin cytoskeleton rearrangements. GML causes T cells to form filopodia instead of actin rings, impairing cell adhesion and migration.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a monoglyceride known for its antimicrobial properties.
  • GML suppresses T cell receptor (TCR)-induced signaling and effector functions.
  • Actin cytoskeleton rearrangement is crucial for T cell interactions, migration, and effector functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of GML on actin cytoskeleton rearrangement following TCR activation in human T cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which GML interferes with TCR-induced actin dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Treated human T cells with GML and activated TCR signaling.
  • Utilized microscopy techniques, including total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), to visualize actin and protein microclusters.
  • Analyzed the localization and colocalization of key proteins involved in actin polymerization and TCR signaling.

Main Results:

  • GML-treated T cells exhibited reduced adherence and failed to form actin ring structures upon TCR activation.
  • Instead of normal actin structures, GML-treated cells developed numerous filopodia.
  • TIRFM revealed mislocalization of Arp2 microclusters in GML-treated cells, while SLP-76 and WASp microclusters showed altered colocalization patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Glycerol monolaurate (GML) significantly alters actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in T cells.
  • GML's T cell-suppressive effects are mediated, in part, by disrupting Arp2 microcluster organization and subsequent actin dynamics.
  • These findings identify novel mechanisms for GML's immunomodulatory functions.

More Related Videos

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor LATS Biosensor07:16

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor LATS Biosensor

Published on: September 13, 2018

20.7K
In Vitro Assays to Assess Blood-brain Barrier Mesh-like Vessel Formation and Disruption10:36

In Vitro Assays to Assess Blood-brain Barrier Mesh-like Vessel Formation and Disruption

Published on: June 20, 2017

9.0K

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
3.2K
Associative Learning01:27

Associative Learning

Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
1.4K
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
9.5K
Formation of Species01:31

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.
45.4K
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.8K
Solution Formation02:16

Solution Formation

There is no one solvent that can dissolve every type of solute. Some substances that readily dissolve in a certain solvent might be insoluble in a different solvent. A simple way to predict which substances dissolve in which solvent is the phrase "like dissolves like". This means that polar substances, such as salt and sugar, dissolve in a polar substance like water. In contrast, non-polar substances are more soluble in non-polar solvents such as carbon tetrachloride.
This selective...
38.0K