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Related Concept Videos

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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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

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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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Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
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Side-chain amino acid based cationic polymer induced actin polymerization.

Binoy Maiti1, Priyanka Dutta, Soma Seal

  • 1Polymer Research Centre, Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur - 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India. p_de@iiserkol.ac.in.

Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
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Summary

Researchers synthesized a novel cationic polymer that effectively nucleates and stabilizes actin filaments in vitro and in vivo. This new polymer demonstrates low toxicity to cultured cells, offering potential applications in cell biology and biomaterials.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Actin filament dynamics are crucial for cellular functions and are regulated by numerous actin-binding proteins.
  • Modulation of actin dynamics by natural and synthetic compounds is often mediated by electrostatic interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize a novel cationic polymer capable of interacting with and modulating actin filament dynamics.
  • To investigate the ability of the synthesized polymer to nucleate and stabilize actin filaments both in vitro and in vivo.
  • To assess the biocompatibility and cellular toxicity of the novel polymer.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of poly(tert-butyl carbamate (Boc)-l-alanine methacryloyloxyethyl ester) (P(Boc-Ala-HEMA)) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
  • Deprotection of Boc groups to yield the cationic polymer (P(NH3+-Ala-HEMA)) with primary amine side chains.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate actin nucleation and filament stabilization, alongside cell toxicity assays.

Main Results:

  • A novel cationic polymer, P(NH3+-Ala-HEMA), was successfully synthesized with controlled polymerization.
  • The cationic polymer demonstrated potent actin nucleation activity in vitro and in vivo.
  • The polymer effectively stabilized filamentous actin in vitro and exhibited no significant toxicity to cultured cells.

Conclusions:

  • The synthesized cationic polymer P(NH3+-Ala-HEMA) is a potent nucleator and stabilizer of actin filaments.
  • This biocompatible polymer shows promise for applications in cell biology research and the development of actin-targeting biomaterials.