Regensburg 2016 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 58: Cytoskeletal Filaments

BP 58.1: Hauptvortrag

Donnerstag, 10. März 2016, 09:30–10:00, H44

Cytoskeletal coordination — •Gijsje Koenderink — FOM Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cell shape and mechanics are determined by the interplay of the plasma membrane with three distinct cytoskeletal networks, made of actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These cytoskeletal polymers markedly differ in their structure and physical properties, and have traditionally been thought to have distinct cellular functions. However, there is growing evidence that they also exhibit strongly coupled functions necessary for cell migration, cell division, and mechanoresponse [1]. Our goal is to resolve physical mechanisms that contribute to cytoskeletal coordination. For this purpose, we study cell-free model systems reconstituted from purified cellular components. I will illustrate this approach by discussing two examples. First, I will demonstrate a model system where we introduced interactions between the actin and microtubule (MT) cytoskeletons via MT end-tracking proteins (+TIPs) that also bind F-actin [2]. We showed that the interaction between growing MT ends and actin is sufficient to capture and re-direct MT growth along actin bundles. Second, I will show how a fourth cytoskeletal filament, septins, interact with actin as well as the plasma membrane.