Electric signals counterbalanced posterior vs anterior PTEN signaling in directed migration of Dictyostelium

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cells show directed migration response to electric signals, namely electrotaxis or galvanotaxis. PI3K and PTEN jointly play counterbalancing roles in this event via a bilateral regulation of PIP3 signaling. PI3K has been proved essential in anterior signaling of electrotaxing cells, whilst the role of PTEN remains elusive. METHODS: Dictyostelium cells with different genetic backgrounds were treated with direct current electric signals to investigate the genetic regulation of electrotaxis. RESULTS: We demonstrated that electric signals promoted PTEN phosphatase activity and asymmetrical translocation to the posterior plasma membrane of the electrotaxing cells. Electric stimulation produced a similar but delayed rear redistribution of myosin II, immediately before electrotaxis started. Actin polymerization is required for the asymmetric membrane translocation of PTEN and myosin. PTEN signaling is also responsible for the asymmetric anterior redistribution of PIP3/F-actin, and a biased redistribution of pseudopod protrusion in the forwarding direction of electrotaxing cells. CONCLUSIONS: PTEN controls electrotaxis by coordinately regulating asymmetric redistribution of myosin to the posterior, and PIP3/F-actin to the anterior region of the directed migration cells.

Source: Cell & Bioscience

DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00580-x

Authors: Bing Song, Yu Gu, Wenkai Jiang, Ying Li, Wayne Nishio Ayre, Zhipeng Liu, Tao Yin, Christopher Janetopoulos, Miho Iijima, Peter Devreotes, Min Zhao

Institutions: Cardiff University, Air Force Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,390

Funders: Research to Prevent Blindness, Wellcome Trust, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Institutes of Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine, National Institute on Aging, National Eye Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

OpenAlex ID: W3166471239