DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200410017. Processive capping by formin suggests a force-driven mechanism of actin polymerization

Processive capping by formin suggests a force-driven mechanism of actin polymerization

10.1083/jcb.200410017

Crossref journal-article

Rockefeller University Press

The Journal of Cell Biology (291)

Abstract

Regulation of actin polymerization is essential for cell functioning. Here, we predict a novel phenomenon—the force-driven polymerization of actin filaments mediated by proteins of the formin family. Formins localize to the barbed ends of actin filaments, but, in contrast to the standard capping proteins, allow for actin polymerization in the barbed direction. First, we show that the mechanism of such “leaky capping” can be understood in terms of the elasticity of the formin molecules. Second, we demonstrate that if a pulling force acts on the filament end via the leaky cap, the elastic stresses can drive actin polymerization. We estimate that a moderate pulling force of ∼3.4 pN is sufficient to reduce the critical actin concentration required for barbed end polymerization by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, the pulling force increases the polymerization rate. The suggested mechanism of force-driven polymerization could be a key element in a variety of cellular mechanosensing devices.

Bibliography

Kozlov, M. M., & Bershadsky, A. D. (2004). Processive capping by formin suggests a force-driven mechanism of actin polymerization. The Journal of Cell Biology, 167(6), 1011â1017.

Authors 2

Michael M. Kozlov (first)
Alexander D. Bershadsky (additional)

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Dates

Type	When
Created	20 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 13, 2004, 8:34 p.m.)
Deposited	2 years, 1 month ago (July 29, 2023, 5:38 a.m.)
Indexed	3 weeks, 2 days ago (Aug. 12, 2025, 5:53 p.m.)
Issued	20 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 13, 2004)
Published	20 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 13, 2004)
Published Online	20 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 13, 2004)
Published Print	20 years, 8 months ago (Dec. 20, 2004)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{Kozlov_2004, title={Processive capping by formin suggests a force-driven mechanism of actin polymerization}, volume={167}, ISSN={0021-9525}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200410017}, DOI={10.1083/jcb.200410017}, number={6}, journal={The Journal of Cell Biology}, publisher={Rockefeller University Press}, author={Kozlov, Michael M. and Bershadsky, Alexander D.}, year={2004}, month=dec, pages={1011–1017} }

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