AIP1/WDR1 supports mitotic cell rounding

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Feb 4;327(1):268-75. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.11.156.

Abstract

The actin cytoskeleton plays a fundamental role in configuring cell shapes and movements. Actin interacting protein 1 (AIP1)/tryptophan-aspartate-repeat protein 1 (WDR1) induces actin severing and disassembly cooperating with ADF/cofilin. We found that mitotic cell flattening but not rounding was manifested by suppression of AIP1/WDR1 in cells. This mitotic cell flattening was not due to any changes in phosphorylation and distribution of cofilin in cells. We carried out a direct observation of actin filament severing/disassembly assay and found that phosphorylated cofilin still somewhat severs/disassembles actin filaments and that AIP1/WDR1 effaces this in vitro. We suggest that the phosphorylation of ADF/cofilin will be insufficient to completely inhibit actin turnover during mitosis, and that AIP1/WDR1 could abort the severing/disassembly activity somewhat still carried out due to phosphorylated ADF/cofilin. This mechanism could be required to induce cell morphologic changes, especially mitotic cell rounding.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Shape*
  • Chromosome Segregation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Microfilament Proteins / deficiency
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitosis*
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors
  • Actins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • WDR1 protein, human
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein