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Actin dynamics and myosin contractility during plasma membrane repair and restoration: Does one ring really heal them

Eric Boucher1, Laurence Goldin-Blais1, Quentin Basiren1

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Current Topics in Membranes
|October 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cells repair plasma membrane (PM) damage using various mechanisms. This review focuses on how cytoskeletal structures, like actin and myosin, contribute to somatic cell repair, an area needing more research.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Cells possess mechanisms to detect, stabilize, and repair damage to their plasma membrane (PM) and cytoskeletal structures.
  • PM damage poses a risk to cells by allowing uncontrolled exchange with the extracellular environment.
  • Investigating single-cell repair programs is crucial for understanding cellular survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the role of cytoskeletal structures in plasma membrane and cortical cytoskeleton repair in somatic cells.
  • To highlight the understudied contributions of the cytoskeleton to cellular wound healing.
  • To survey how actin dynamics and myosin-based contraction influence cellular repair processes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on cellular repair mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on plasma membrane repair and cytoskeletal involvement.
  • Synthesis of findings related to actin dynamics, myosin contraction, and cytoskeletal structures in somatic cell repair.

Main Results:

  • Cellular repair involves dynamic remodeling of the injured area via exocytosis, endocytosis, or shedding.
  • Xenopus oocytes and Drosophila embryos exhibit rapid membrane patch formation for wound repair.
  • Actomyosin ring formation and contraction are key for restoring PM composition and cytoskeletal integrity.
  • The role of the cytoskeleton in somatic cell wound healing has received limited research attention.

Conclusions:

  • Cytoskeletal elements, particularly actin dynamics and myosin-based contraction, play a significant role in somatic cell plasma membrane and cortical cytoskeleton repair.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the contributions of the cytoskeleton to the wound healing program in somatic cells.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for comprehending cellular resilience and repair processes.
Keywords:
Actin dynamicsActomyosin ringCytoskeleton repairPlasma membrane repairRho GTPaseTensegrity

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