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Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence TIRF Microscopy
Published on: July 20, 2022
In situ cryo-electron tomography reveals filamentous actin within the microtubule lumen
Danielle M Paul1, Judith Mantell2, Ufuk Borucu3
1School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Microtubules and filamentous (F-) actin engage in complex interactions to drive many cellular processes from subcellular organization to cell division and migration. This is thought to be largely controlled by proteins that interface between the two structurally distinct cytoskeletal components. Here, we use cryo-electron tomography to demonstrate that the microtubule lumen can be occupied by extended segments of F-actin in small molecule-induced, microtubule-based, cellular projections. We uncover an unexpected versatility in cytoskeletal form that may prompt a significant development of our current models of cellular architecture and offer a new experimental approach for the in situ study of microtubule structure and contents.
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