Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos
12:35

Author Spotlight: Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos

Published on: April 14, 2023

1.7K

MicroRNA Regulatory Pathways in the Control of the Actin-Myosin Cytoskeleton

Karen Uray1, Evelin Major1, Beata Lontay1

  • 1Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.

Cells
|July 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and impact cell structure. This review highlights how miRNAs control the actin-myosin cytoskeleton in vital physiological processes and human disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression.
  • Actin-myosin cytoskeleton dynamics are essential for numerous cellular functions.
  • Dysregulation of cellular processes involving the cytoskeleton is linked to various human diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of microRNA's role in modulating the actin-myosin cytoskeleton.
  • To explore the impact of microRNA-mediated cytoskeletal regulation on physiological processes.
  • To discuss the implications of these mechanisms in human disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on microRNAs and cytoskeleton.
  • Analysis of direct and indirect regulatory effects of miRNAs on actin and myosin.
  • Synthesis of findings from human models and physiological studies.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs directly and indirectly influence actin-myosin cytoskeleton organization.
  • These regulatory roles are vital for cardiovascular function, hematopoiesis, podocyte physiology, and osteogenesis.
  • Evidence suggests microRNA involvement in the pathogenesis of several human disorders.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA modulation of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton is a significant mechanism with broad physiological relevance.
  • Understanding these miRNA-cytoskeleton interactions is key to comprehending cellular functions and disease development.
  • Further research into miRNA-based therapies targeting cytoskeletal dynamics is warranted.
Keywords:
Rho kinaseactinactin–myosin complexcancercardiovascular systemgene expressionhematopoiesismiRNAmuscle cell differentiationmyosinsmooth musclestress fiberstriated muscletherapy

More Related Videos

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence TIRF Microscopy08:44

Visualizing Actin and Microtubule Coupling Dynamics In Vitro by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence TIRF Microscopy

Published on: July 20, 2022

3.8K
Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles08:02

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles

Published on: May 5, 2022

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
5.3K
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin 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....
6.2K
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
4.3K
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
2.3K
The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells01:10

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells

Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within the sarcomere of muscle cells). The mechanism of non-muscle cell contractile bundles was first observed in Dictyostelium and Acanthamoeba. In non-muscle cells, two bundles are commonly found: stress fibers and actomyosin adherence belts. These contractile bundles are smaller and less organized than the ones found in muscle cells. They  are held...
4.2K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
26.6K