Actin filament formation is required for the platelet shape change that accompanies activation and clot formation. Although many actin-binding proteins have been found, none seem able to mediate the elongation of filaments by monomer addition to membrane-bound barbed end of actin filaments. A central question remains: what are the key proteins that regulate this process? This work began with the identification of the Mab 2E4 antigen as a potential membrane-associated actin-binding protein involved in filament formation. This 43 kD protein is present in cells at sites where membrane- associated polymerization is occurring. It binds the barbed end of actin filaments in an ATP-sensitive manner and in preliminary experiments induces the formation of small nucleating oligomers of actin at concentrations below the critical. The DNA and amino acid sequence of the antigen reveal it to be a unique protein. The working hypothesis that guides this project is that there exists a membrane-associated polymerization machine which includes the Mab 2E4 antigen, and that this machine regulates polymerization of actin filaments off the cytoplasmic surface of the platelet plasma membrane during activation.
The specific aims i n this granting period is to test this hypothesis in two ways: 1) by dissecting in detail the interactions of the Mab 2E4 antigen with actin in vitro and in vivo using biochemical, molecular and cell biological approaches; and 2) by isolating the intact and functional polymerization machine from human platelet surface membranes using cationic beads, and identifying the components of the machine by functional, biochemical and molecular techniques. The tools to perform these experiments have been developed. These include: I) cloned cDNA for the Mab 2E4 its sequence; 2) polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against both endogenous and recombinant protein; 3) bacterially expressed fusion protein that is soluble, abundant and active in in vitro assays; 4) sensitive assays of actin oligomer formation by fluorescence video microscopy; 5) ability to induce actin filaments with cationic beads in platelets; and 6) isolated bead-protein complexes that induce filament formation in vitro. Thus, all the necessary expertise, and molecular probes are in place to address this question. The significance of identifying nucleators of actin filament assembly in platelets transcends their role in platelet physiology. Membrane- associated actin polymerization is a well recognized event in the formation of a wide variety of physiologically important cellular structures, ranging from the leading edge of the migrating cell to the formation of stereocilia in the sensory organ of the inner ear.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM047368-02
Application #
2184768
Study Section
Hematology Subcommittee 2 (HEM)
Project Start
1994-04-01
Project End
1999-03-31
Budget Start
1995-04-01
Budget End
1996-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Hatzikirou, Haralampos; Chauviere, Arnaud; Bauer, Amy L et al. (2012) Integrative physical oncology. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med 4:1-14
Seamster, Pamela E; Loewenberg, Michael; Pascal, Jennifer et al. (2012) Quantitative measurements and modeling of cargo-motor interactions during fast transport in the living axon. Phys Biol 9:055005
Cheng, Shi-Bin; Ferland, Paulette; Webster, Paul et al. (2011) Herpes simplex virus dances with amyloid precursor protein while exiting the cell. PLoS One 6:e17966
Zhang, Xiaowei; Bearer, Elaine L; Perles-Barbacaru, Adriana T et al. (2010) Increased anatomical detail by in vitro MR microscopy with a modified Golgi impregnation method. Magn Reson Med 63:1391-7
Bearer, Elaine L; Zhang, Xiaowei; Janvelyan, Davit et al. (2009) Reward circuitry is perturbed in the absence of the serotonin transporter. Neuroimage 46:1091-104
Bearer, Elaine L; Lowengrub, John S; Frieboes, Hermann B et al. (2009) Multiparameter computational modeling of tumor invasion. Cancer Res 69:4493-501
Islas-Flores, Tania; Guillén, Gabriel; Islas-Flores, Ignacio et al. (2009) Germination behavior, biochemical features and sequence analysis of the RACK1/arcA homolog from Phaseolus vulgaris. Physiol Plant 137:264-80
Bearer, Elaine L; Zhang, Xiaowei; Jacobs, Russell E (2007) Live imaging of neuronal connections by magnetic resonance: Robust transport in the hippocampal-septal memory circuit in a mouse model of Down syndrome. Neuroimage 37:230-42
Sanga, Sandeep; Frieboes, Hermann B; Zheng, Xiaoming et al. (2007) Predictive oncology: a review of multidisciplinary, multiscale in silico modeling linking phenotype, morphology and growth. Neuroimage 37 Suppl 1:S120-34
Frieboes, Hermann B; Lowengrub, John S; Wise, S et al. (2007) Computer simulation of glioma growth and morphology. Neuroimage 37 Suppl 1:S59-70

Showing the most recent 10 out of 24 publications