Cross-linking of actin filament networks by self-association and actin-binding macromolecules

We have used low shear falling ball viscometry to measure the effects of actin purity, solution conditions, and cross-linking macromolecules on the formation of actin filament networks. Removal of minor contaminants from conventional muscle actin (Spudich, J. A., and Watt, S. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 4866-4871) by gel filtration (MacLean-Fletcher, S. and Pollard, T.D. (1980c) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 96, 18-27), greatly promotes the interaction of the filaments. Purified actin filaments form a gel (apparent viscosity greater than 12,000 cp) at approximately 2 mg/ml whereas approximately 12 mg/ml of conventional actin filaments have a viscosity of less than 400 cp. The apparent viscosity of the filaments depends on pH and the concentration of monovalent and divalent cations. The viscosity of purified action filaments is more sensitive to such variables when compared to that of conventional actin filaments. Together these experiments suggest that actin filament self-associations contribute to the stabilization of actin gels. A number of basic macromolecules, including aldolase, histones, lysozyme, polylysine, and RNase A can bind to and crosslink conventional actin filaments to form a gel. Since it is unlikely that all of these molecules are bound to actin in vivo, experimental approaches in addition to viscometry and sedimentation must be applied to prove that a given protein functions as an actin cross-linking protein in the cell.