1. Nucleation, stabilization, and disassembly of branched actin networks
- Author
-
Fred E. Fregoso, Roberto Dominguez, Alexis Gautreau, and Gleb Simanov
- Subjects
Mechanosensation ,Cryoelectron Microscopy ,Nucleation ,Arp2/3 complex ,Motility ,Actin filament nucleation ,Saccharomyces cerevisiae ,macromolecular substances ,Cell Biology ,Biology ,Branching (polymer chemistry) ,Article ,Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex ,Actins ,Actin Cytoskeleton ,Organelle ,Biophysics ,biology.protein ,Humans ,biological phenomena, cell phenomena, and immunity ,Actin ,Protein Binding - Abstract
Arp2/3 complex is an actin filament nucleation and branching machinery conserved in all eukaryotes from yeast to human. Arp2/3 complex branched networks generate pushing forces that drive cellular processes ranging from membrane remodeling to cell and organelle motility. Several molecules regulate these processes by directly inhibiting or activating Arp2/3 complex and by stabilizing or disassembling branched networks. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of Arp2/3 complex regulation, including high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures that illuminate the mechanisms of Arp2/3 complex activation and branch formation, and novel cellular pathways of branch formation, stabilization, and debranching. We also identify major gaps in our understanding of Arp2/3 complex inhibition and branch stabilization and disassembly.
- Published
- 2022