Formins direct Arp2/3-independent actin filament assembly to polarize cell growth in yeast

Nat Cell Biol. 2002 Mar;4(3):260-9. doi: 10.1038/ncb770.

Abstract

Formins have been implicated in the regulation of cytoskeletal structure in animals and fungi. Here we show that the formins Bni1 and Bnr1 of budding yeast stimulate the assembly of actin filaments that function as precursors to tropomyosin-stabilized cables that direct polarized cell growth. With loss of formin function, cables disassemble,whereas increased formin activity causes the hyperaccumulation of cable-like filaments. Unlike the assembly of cortical actin patches, cable assembly requires profilin but not the Arp2/3 complex. Thus formins control a distinct pathway for assembling actin filaments that organize the overall polarity of the cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Corrected and Republished Article

MeSH terms

  • Acetyltransferases
  • Actin-Related Protein 2
  • Actin-Related Protein 3
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Polarity
  • Contractile Proteins*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferase B
  • Profilins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism
  • Tropomyosin / metabolism

Substances

  • Actin-Related Protein 2
  • Actin-Related Protein 3
  • Actins
  • BNR1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Bni1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Contractile Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • MDM20 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Profilins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Tropomyosin
  • Acetyltransferases
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferase B