This proposal is focused on developing our understanding of class 1 myosins: ubiquitously expressed monomeric, membrane binding, actin-based motors that participate in diverse cellular functions, including organelle trafficking, transcription, host defense, cell motility, and mechano-sensation. Our studies of myosin-1 are centered on the 'brush border', a tightly packed array of microvilli that extends from the apical surface of many transporting epithelial cells types. This organelle is home to a number of myosin superfamily members, with the most abundant being myosin-1a (Myo1a), one of eight vertebrate class 1 myosins. Our laboratory has leveraged a unique combination of cell biological and biophysical approaches to discover that: (i) Myo1a contributes to membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion, which is critical for maintaining normal brush border structure, and (ii) Myo1a powers the release of membrane vesicles enriched in host defense machinery from microvillar tips into the intestinal lumen. The physiological significance of Myo1a function is also underscored by recent studies showing that mutations in this motor are linked to colorectal tumor formation in humans. While we have made substantial progress toward elucidating the biological roles of Myo1a, the molecular properties, interactions, and events that govern the function of this and other myosins-1 remain poorly characterized. The goal of this proposal is to develop our understanding of the fundamental biochemical and biophysical properties that enable Myo1a to contribute to brush border function. To this end, Aim 1 will examine the unitary properties of single Myo1a molecules interacting with the plasma membrane of live cells and supported bilayers in vitro, Aim 2 will examine the force generating potential of Myo1a bound to supported bilayers, and Aim 3 will investigate the role of force sensing in the regulation of Myo1a dynamics and function. Because defects in brush border formation and maintenance are at the core of numerous diseases that pose significant threats to human health, developing insight on the molecular mechanisms that govern Myo1a behavior will provide information that may ultimately be used in the development of therapeutics aimed at repairing malformed or damaged brush borders.
Brush border microvilli function as the major site of nutrient absorption and a barrier to bacteria that reside in the intestinal lumen. Functional microvilli are essential for maintaining normal human health;malformation of the brush border or microvillar destruction caused by disease or infection are associated with malabsorption, dehydration, and in severe cases, death. Understanding the mechanism of molecules such as Myo1a, which are important for microvillar maintenance and function, will be critical for understanding human illnesses that derive from brush border malformation, enteric infections, and intestinal cancers.
| Postema, Meagan M; Grega-Larson, Nathan E; Neininger, Abigail C et al. (2018) IRTKS (BAIAP2L1) Elongates Epithelial Microvilli Using EPS8-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms. Curr Biol 28:2876-2888.e4 |
| Tonucci, Facundo M; Ferretti, Anabela; Almada, Evangelina et al. (2018) Microtubules regulate brush border formation. J Cell Physiol 233:1468-1480 |
| Li, Jianchao; He, Yunyun; Weck, Meredith L et al. (2017) Structure of Myo7b/USH1C complex suggests a general PDZ domain binding mode by MyTH4-FERM myosins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:E3776-E3785 |
| Kim, Sun Wook; Ehrman, Jonathan; Ahn, Mok-Ryeon et al. (2017) Shear stress induces noncanonical autophagy in intestinal epithelial monolayers. Mol Biol Cell 28:3043-3056 |
| Millis, Bryan A; Tyska, Matthew J (2017) High-Resolution Image Stitching as a Tool to Assess Tissue-Level Protein Distribution and Localization. Methods Mol Biol 1606:281-296 |
| McKinley, Eliot T; Sui, Yunxia; Al-Kofahi, Yousef et al. (2017) Optimized multiplex immunofluorescence single-cell analysis reveals tuft cell heterogeneity. JCI Insight 2: |
| Feng, Qiang; Bonder, Edward M; Engevik, Amy C et al. (2017) Disruption of Rab8a and Rab11a causes formation of basolateral microvilli in neonatal enteropathy. J Cell Sci 130:2491-2505 |
| Weck, Meredith L; Grega-Larson, Nathan E; Tyska, Matthew J (2017) MyTH4-FERM myosins in the assembly and maintenance of actin-based protrusions. Curr Opin Cell Biol 44:68-78 |
| Crawley, Scott W; Weck, Meredith L; Grega-Larson, Nathan E et al. (2016) ANKS4B Is Essential for Intermicrovillar Adhesion Complex Formation. Dev Cell 36:190-200 |
| Weck, Meredith L; Crawley, Scott W; Stone, Colin R et al. (2016) Myosin-7b Promotes Distal Tip Localization of the Intermicrovillar Adhesion Complex. Curr Biol 26:2717-2728 |
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