In Vitro Reconstitution of Cytoskeleton Networks: A Collection of Methods
Collection Overview
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The cytoskeleton and its associated molecular motors and binding proteins perform numerous cellular processes ranging from migration and division to mechanosensing; thus, enabling the cells to move, change shape, and grow. The cytoskeleton includes the semiflexible actin filaments, rigid microtubules, and intermediate filaments that provide structural and mechanical support to the cells; additionally, the cytoskeleton is also a quintessential example of active matter with potential materials applications ranging from wound healing and drug delivery to filtration and soft robotics. In an effort to understand these interactions and contributions from the different cytoskeletal constituents that lead to signature cellular properties, researchers have developed powerful in vitro reconstitution methods to build and study cytoskeleton systems outside the cells. However, due to the complexity and non-equilibrium nature of these systems, as well as the labile nature of their constituents, in vitro reconstitution methods are often difficult to replicate from lab to lab. This collection highlights the different reconstitution assays and experimental methods that researchers at the forefront of cytoskeleton research are using to recreate and elucidate cytoskeleton systems in an effort to advance biophysics and materials science alike.
Featured Methods:
Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
Abstract
The cytoskeleton is responsible for major internal organization and re-organization within the cell, all without a manager to direct the changes. This is especially the case during mitosis or meiosis, where the microtubules form the spindle during cell division. The spindle is the machinery used to segregate genetic material during cell division. Toward creating self-organized spindles in vitro, we recently developed a technique to reconstitute microtubules into spindle-like assemblies with a minimal set of microtubule-associated proteins and crowding agents. Specifically, MAP65 was used, which is an antiparallel microtubule crosslinker from plants, a homolog of Ase1 from yeast and PRC1 from mammalian organisms. This crosslinker self-organizes microtubules into long, thin, spindle-like microtubule self-organized assemblies. These assemblies are also similar to liquid crystal tactoids, and microtubules could be used as mesoscale mesogens. Here, protocols are presented for creating these microtubule tactoids, as well as for characterizing the shape of the assemblies using fluorescence microscopy and the mobility of the constituents using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.
Featured Methods:
Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics
Abstract
The composite cytoskeleton, comprising interacting networks of semiflexible actin filaments and rigid microtubules, restructures and generates forces using motor proteins such as myosin II and kinesin to drive key processes such as migration, cytokinesis, adhesion, and mechanosensing. While actin-microtubule interactions are key to the cytoskeleton's versatility and adaptability, an understanding of their interplay with myosin and kinesin activity is still nascent. This work describes how to engineer tunable three-dimensional composite networks of co-entangled actin filaments and microtubules that undergo active restructuring and ballistic motion, driven by myosin II and kinesin motors, and are tuned by the relative concentrations of actin, microtubules, motor proteins, and passive crosslinkers. Protocols for fluorescence labeling of the microtubules and actin filaments to most effectively visualize composite restructuring and motion using multi-spectral confocal imaging are also detailed. Finally, the results of data analysis methods that can be used to quantitatively characterize non-equilibrium structure, dynamics, and mechanics are presented. Recreating and investigating this tunable biomimetic platform provides valuable insight into how coupled motor activity, composite mechanics, and filament dynamics can lead to myriad cellular processes from mitosis to polarization to mechano-sensation.
See These Tools In Action - Citation Spotlights
Cytoskeleton proteins, actin and tubulin, are two of the most well-characterized proteins and the networks they form have been actively studied over the past decade. Interestingly, these actin and tubulin networks interact extensively in cells, yet our understanding of how these networks affect the other’s dynamics is just beginning to come to light. Work by Dr. Ross and Dr. Robertson-Anderson has led the way towards unmasking this mystery. In their recent study these groups sought to determine how the interactions between actin and microtubule networks impact actomyosin activity. They utilized cutting-edge technologies like particle image velocimetry and dynamic differential microscopy to measure the network dynamics of actin and microtubules that are co-entangled in the presence of myosin II. Interestingly they observed that microtubules facilitated organized contraction of actomyosin networks that were otherwise disjointed and displayed disordered dynamics. Importantly, they also observed that these co-entangled networks can undergo ballistic contraction with indistinguishable characteristics.
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