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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:40
Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum
Published on: September 20, 2011
Actin polymerization and pseudopod extension during amoeboid chemotaxis.
J Condeelis1, A Hall, A Bresnick
1Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.
Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae show two stages of actin polymerization during chemotaxis, crucial for pseudopod extension. This process involves barbed end actin filament polymerization, driving cell movement.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae serve as a model for studying chemotaxis.
- Synchronous cellular responses allow correlation of shape changes and biochemical events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal dynamics of actin polymerization during chemotactic stimulation.
- To correlate actin polymerization with pseudopod extension in Dictyostelium discoideum.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Dictyostelium discoideum as a model system for synchronized chemotactic response.
- Analyzing actin polymerization stages and localization using cytochalasin sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Actin polymerization occurs in two distinct stages during chemoattractant stimulation.
- Early F-actin assembly correlates with new pseudopod growth and localization within them.
- Both polymerization stages are sensitive to cytochalasin, indicating barbed end polymerization.
Conclusions:
- Actin polymerization is a primary driving force for pseudopod extension in chemotaxis.
- Localized regulation of actin nucleation and cross-linking are predicted necessities.
- Findings inform signal transduction models and the role of actin-binding proteins.
Related Concept Videos
01:42Actin Polymerization
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 actin...
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 actin...
01:14Generation 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...
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...
01:13Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
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.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
01:39Mechanism 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...
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...
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
01:18Actin Treadmilling
Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...