Transfer of mitochondria to daughter cells during yeast cell division is essential for viable progeny. The actin cytoskeleton is required for this process, potentially as a track to direct mitochondrial movement into the bud. Sedimentation assays reveal two different components required for mitochondria-actin interactions: (1) mitochondrial actin binding protein(s) (mABP), a peripheral mitochon...

IntroductionGlioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an extremely aggressive form of glioma tumour. The characteristically invasive properties GBM contribute to the poor prognosis in suffers. This study focuses on therapeutic potential four anti-migratory drugs - 6-bromo- indirubin-3’oxime (BIO), CCG-1423, Latrunculin A (LAT A) and Lithium Chloride (LiCl), vitro. migration distances migrating cells cel...

Root hair tip growth provides a unique model system for the study of plant cell polarity. Transgenic plants expressing constitutively active (CA) forms of ROP (Rho-of-plants) GTPases have been shown to cause the disruption of root hair polarity likely as a result of the alteration of actin filaments (AF) and microtubules (MT) organization. Towards understanding the mechanism by which ROP contro...

Increased deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) at the cerebral endothelial cell (CEC) surface has been implicated in enhancement of transmigration of monocytes across the brain blood barrier (BBB) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy (QIM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with cantilevers biofunctionalized by sialyl-Lewis(x) (sLe(x)) were emplo...

The objective of this study was to examine the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the development of pressure-induced membrane depolarization and Ca(2+) influx underlying myogenic constriction in cerebral arteries. Elevating intraluminal pressure from 10 to 60 mmHg induced membrane depolarization, increased intracellular cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and elicited myogenic constric...

BACKGROUND Campylobacter jejuni is one of the major causes of infectious diarrhea worldwide. The distending cytolethal toxin (CDT) of Campylobacter spp. interferes with normal cell cycle progression. This toxic effect is considered a result of DNase activity that produces chromosomal DNA damage. To perform this event, the toxin must be endocytosed and translocated to the nucleus. OBJECTIVES T...

RATIONALE Delivery of Cx43 (connexin 43) to the intercalated disc is a continuous and rapid process critical for intercellular coupling. By a pathway of targeted delivery involving microtubule highways, vesicles of Cx43 hemichannels are efficiently trafficked to adherens junctions at intercalated discs. It has also been identified that actin provides rest stops for Cx43 forward trafficking and ...

In the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, uptake of the fluorescent styryl dye FM4-64 via the endocytic pathway to the vacuole was localised to the poles of growing, interphase cells and to the cell equator during cell division, regions of cell wall deposition that are rich in actin. When the pattern of growth or the plane of cytokinesis was altered, the relationship between the actin cy...

Although patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome require mechanical ventilation, these ventilators often exacerbate the existing lung injury. For example, the cyclic closure and reopening of fluid-filled airways during ventilation can cause epithelial cell (EpC) necrosis and barrier disruption. Although much work has focused on minimizing the injurious mechanical forces generated duri...