In Vitro Polymerization of F-actin on Early Endosomes

Summary

Early endosome functions depend on F-actin polymerization. Here, we describe a microscopy-based in vitro assay that reconstitutes the nucleation and polymerization of F-actin on early endosomal membranes in test tubes, thus rendering this complex series of reactions amenable to biochemical and genetic manipulations.

Abstract

Many early endosome functions, particularly cargo protein sorting and membrane deformation, depend on patches of short F-actin filaments nucleated onto the endosomal membrane. We have established a microscopy-based in vitro assay that reconstitutes the nucleation and polymerization of F-actin on early endosomal membranes in test tubes, thus rendering this complex series of reactions amenable to genetic and biochemical manipulations. Endosomal fractions are prepared by floatation in sucrose gradients from cells expressing the early endosomal protein GFP-RAB5. Cytosolic fractions are prepared from separate batches of cells. Both endosomal and cytosolic fractions can be stored frozen in liquid nitrogen, if needed. In the assay, the endosomal and cytosolic fractions are mixed, and the mixture is incubated at 37 °C under appropriate conditions (e.g., ionic strength, reducing environment). At the desired time, the reaction mixture is fixed, and the F-actin is revealed with phalloidin. Actin nucleation and polymerization are then analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Here, we report that this assay can be used to investigate the role of factors that are involved either in actin nucleation on the membrane, or in the subsequent elongation, branching, or crosslinking of F-actin filaments.

Introduction

In higher eukaryotic cells, proteins and lipids are internalized into early endosomes where sorting occurs. Some proteins and lipids, which are destined to be reutilized, are incorporated into tubular regions of the early endosomes and then transported to the plasma membrane or to the trans-Golgi network (TGN)^1,2. By contrast, other proteins and lipids are selectively packaged into regions of the early endosomes that exhibit a multivesicular appearance. These regions expand and, upon detachment from early endosomal membranes, eventually mature into free endosomal carrier vesicles or multivesicular bodies (ECV/....

Protocol

1. Solutions and Preparations

NOTE: All buffers and solutions should be prepared in double-distilled (dd) H₂O. Because the hydration state of sucrose varies, the final concentration of all sucrose solutions must be determined using a refractometer.

1. Prepare phosphate-buffered saline without divalent cations (PBS-): 137 mM NaCI, 2.7 mM KCl, 1.5 mM KH₂PO₄, and 6.5 mM Na₂HPO₄. Adjust the pH to 7.4. Sterilize by autoclaving (1 cycle at 121 °C for 15 min) and store at room temperature.
2. Prepare stock solution of 300 mM imidazole: 0.204 g of imidazole in 10 mL of ddH<....

Results

To gain insights into the formation of F-actin patches on early endosome membranes, we followed the protocol outlined in Figure 2. Briefly, cells were transfected with GFP-RAB5 and then early endosomes were prepared by subcellular fractionation. These purified early endosomes were incubated with cytosol in order to provide actin itself as well as other factors possibly involved in the reaction. At the end of the incubation period, the reaction was stopped by .......

Discussion

Actin plays a crucial role in endosome membrane dynamics^4,14. We previously reported that actin nucleation and polymerization occur on early endosomes, forming small F-actin patches or networks. These F-actin networks are absolutely required for membrane transport beyond early endosomes along the degradation pathway. Interfering at any step of this nucleation and polymerization process prevents endosome maturation and thus downstream transport towards late endoso.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
NaCl	Sigma-Aldrich	71380
KCl	Acros Organics	196770010
KH2PO4	AppliChem	A1042
Na2HPO4	Acros Organics	424370025
Hepes	AppliChem	A3724
Magnesiun acetate tetrahydrate	Fluka	63047
Dithiothreitol (DTT)	AppliChem	A2948
Imidazole	Sigma-Aldrich	10125
NaOH	Fluka	71690
Sucrose	Merck Millipore	107687
Leupeptin	Roche	11017101001
Pepstatin	Roche	10253286001
Aprotinin	Roche	10236624001
Paraformaldehide	Polysciences. Inc	380
Alexa Fluor 555 phalloidin	Molecular Probes	A34055
Actin rhodamine	Cytoskeleton. Inc	APHR-A
Mowiol 4-88	Sigma-Aldrich	81381	poly(vinyl alcohol), Mw ~31 000
DABCO	Sigma-Aldrich	D-2522
Tris-HCl	AppliChem	A1086
β-casein	Sigma-Aldrich	C6905
Filter 0.22 μm	Millex	SL6V033RS
Round 10 cm dishes for cell culture	Thermo Fisher Scientific	150350
Plastic Pasteur pipette	Assistent	569/3 40569003
15-mL polypropylen tube	TPP	91015
Hypodermic Needle 22G Black 30mm	BD Microlance	300900
Sterile Luer-slip 1mL Syringes without needle	BD Plastipak	300013
Micro glass slides	Assistent	2406
18 x 18-mm glass coverslip	Assistent	1000/1818
SW60 centrifuge tube	Beckman coulter	344062
TLS-55 centrifuge tube	Beckman coulter	343778
200-μL yellow tip	Starlab	S1111-0706
1,000-μL Blue Graduated Tip	Starlab	S1111-6801
1.5-mL test tube	Axygen	MCT-175-C 311-04-051
18-mm diameter round coverslip	Assistent	1001/18
35-mm diameter round dish with a 20-mm glass bottom (0.16 - 0.19 mm)	In vitro Scientific	D35-20-1.5-N
Refractometer	Carl Zeiss	79729
Plasma cleaner	Harrick Plasma	PDC-32G
Sorvall WX80 Ultracentrifuge	Thermo Fisher Scientific	46900
Tabletop ultracentrifuge	Beckman coulter	TL-100
SW60 rotor	Beckman coulter	335649
TLS-55 rotor	Beckman coulter	346936
Confocal microscopy	Carl Zeiss	LSM-780
Fugene HD transfection reagent	Promega	E2311
Protein assay reagent A	Bio-Rad	500-0113
Protein assay reagent B	Bio-Rad	500-0114
Protein assay reagent S	Bio-Rad	500-0115
Cell scraper	Homemade		Silicone rubber piece of about 2 cm, cut at a very sharp angle and attached to a metal bar or held with forceps
Refractometer	Carl Zeiss
Minimum Essential Medium Eagle (MEM)	Sigma-Aldrich	M0643
FCS	Thermo Fisher Scientific	10270-106
MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEAA)	Thermo Fisher Scientific	11140-035
L-Glutamine	Thermo Fisher Scientific	25030-024
Penicillin-Streptomycin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	15140-122
pH Meter 691	Metrohm
ImageJ software			NIH, Bethesda MD