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DeActs: genetically encoded tools for perturbing the actin cytoskeleton in single cells.

ABSTRACT: The actin cytoskeleton is essential for many fundamental biological processes, but tools for directly manipulating actin dynamics are limited to cell-permeable drugs that preclude single-cell perturbations. Here we describe DeActs, genetically encoded actin-modifying polypeptides, which effectively induce actin disassembly in eukaryotic cells. We demonstrate that DeActs are universal tools for studying the actin cytoskeleton in single cells in culture, tissues, and multicellular organisms including various neurodevelopmental model systems.

SUBMITTER: Harterink M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5419720 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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DeActs: genetically encoded tools for perturbing the actin cytoskeleton in single cells.

Harterink Martin M da Silva Marta Esteves ME Will Lena L Turan Julia J Ibrahim Adiljan A Lang Alexander E AE van Battum Eljo Y EY Pasterkamp R Jeroen RJ Kapitein Lukas C LC Kudryashov Dmitri D Barres Ben A BA Hoogenraad Casper C CC Zuchero J Bradley JB

Nature methods 20170410 5

The actin cytoskeleton is essential for many fundamental biological processes, but tools for directly manipulating actin dynamics are limited to cell-permeable drugs that preclude single-cell perturbations. Here we describe DeActs, genetically encoded actin-modifying polypeptides, which effectively induce actin disassembly in eukaryotic cells. We demonstrate that DeActs are universal tools for studying the actin cytoskeleton in single cells in culture, tissues, and multicellular organisms includ ...[more]

PMID: 28394337

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