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Vesicular roles of Arp2/3 nucleation-promoting factors
Dostál, Vojtěch ; Libusová, Lenka (advisor) ; Malínský, Jan (referee) ; Befekadu, Asfaw (referee)
F-actin is involved in key aspects of vesicular traffic, such as membrane deformation, tubulation and vesicle motion. Branching of F-actin is mediated by Arp2/3 but this complex must first be activated by so-called nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs). These factors play an essential role in the decision where and when branched actin should form on the membrane surface. The thesis focuses on the mechanisms which underlie localization and activation of NPFs, especially in terms of the phosphoinositide composition of the vesicle membranes. I show that one of the NPFs, the WASH complex, does not exclusively depend on the retromer complex for its membrane anchoring, as previously theorized. Rather, its understudied subunit SWIP enables the complex to independently bind to the membrane. I also present data showing that the WASH complex has essential roles in maintaining lysosomal function. Additionally, I elucidate the function of another NPF known as WHAMM in the ERGIC compartment, showing that it depends on the presence of myotubularin 9 for its ability to form membrane tubules. The thesis improves our understanding of the interface between the actin cytoskeleton and intracellular membrane system.
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Analysis of functional interaction between PKN3 kinase and CARMIL1 protein
Novotná, Petra ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Groušl, Tomáš (referee)
Cancer cell motility and cytoskeletal rearrangements are crucial for metastasis formation. These complex changes involve multiple cellular processes affected by many different proteins. One such protein is the Ser/Thr kinase PKN3. This kinase has been shown to be essential for metastasis formation in some aggressive types of breast and prostate cancer. Interestingly, the PKN3 kinase is not only important in malignant cancers but also in normal tissues. In endothelial cells, the PKN3 kinase can alter their adhesion, or in osteoclasts it helps to promote bone resorption. The effects of the PKN3 kinase on cancer malignancy and cell motility are well documented, but the mechanism behind these effects is still unclear. Therefore, our laboratory seeks to identify novel substrates and interaction partners of the PKN3 kinase. This work focuses on a novel potential substrate of the PKN3 kinase, CARMIL1. This protein is involved in actin cytoskeleton rearrangements by regulating actin polymerisation and thus cell motility. Here we provide evidence that the PKN3 kinase interacts with CARMIL1. Key words: PKN3, CARMIL1, actin cytoskeleton, cancer, invasion
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The role of phosphoinositides in macropinocytosis
Hájek, Tomáš ; Doubravská, Lenka (advisor) ; Španielová, Hana (referee)
Macropinocytosis is non-selective actin-dependent type of endocytosis. It is important for the normal physiology of some cell types. However, it is used by intracellular parasites which internalise themselves into host cells in this way and also play a role in the nutritional supply in some type of cancer cells. During macropinocytosis a self-organized subdomain of plasma membrane is separated by a diffusion barrier named macropinocytic cup. RAC1-driven actin polymerization is required for membrane protrusion at the cup periphery, where a narrow ring of the actin nucleating factors is present. In contrast, actin dissociation occurs at the base of the cup due to RAS-controlled formation of phosphatidylinositol trisphosphates (PIP3). During cup closure sequential breakdown of PIP3 to phosphatidylinositol and acquisition of the endosomal identity of the newly formed vesicle is necessary. As a result of tubulation in the early stages of macropinocytosome maturation the vesicle decreases in diameter and stabilizes. At late stages the macropinocytic vesicle may fuse with the lysosome, allowing internalized material to enter this degradative organelle. Throughout the process specific types of phosphatidylinositols are part of the membrane providing signal transduction and membrane identity. These phospholipids...
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Gravitropism mechanisms in single-celled organs and multicellular organs of plants
Nehasilová, Martina ; Fendrych, Matyáš (advisor) ; Kurtović, Katarina (referee)
Plants react to various environmental stimuli by oriented growth. The growth responses are called tropisms. Gravitropism is a directed growth concerning the gravity vector. Plant shoots grow up, negatively gravitropically, to catch the light. Roots are positively gravitropic; they grow down to anchor the plant in the substrate and seek water and minerals. The process of gravitropism consists of three stages: signal perception, signal transmission, and growth response. These stages can all occur in a single cell or separately in different parts of a multicellular organ. Single-cell gravitropic systems are represented by algal rhizoids or moss protonemata. They need minimal signal transmission because gravity vector perception and growth response happen in the same cell. The multicellular systems, represented here by angiosperm roots, have a more robust signal transmission phase. This thesis compares mechanisms of plant gravitropism based on the two categories - single-cell vs. multicellular. Despite their different cellular arrangements, single-cell and multicellular gravitropism share several characteristics, such as statolith sedimentation, Ca2+ fluxes, pH changes, and altered vesicular trafficking. Still, the lack of knowledge about the single-cell systems and high inner variability within the...
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The role of PIP5K family kinases in plasma membrane remodeling
Apolínová, Kateřina ; Macůrková, Marie (advisor) ; Lišková, Petra (referee)
Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) is the enzyme responsible for the production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), which has long been known as a precursor of two important second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate. However, PI(4,5)P2 also acts as a second messenger in its own right and regulates many processes occurring on the plasma membrane such as endo- and exocytosis, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, and the formation of cell-cell contacts. The action of PIP5K is carefully spatially and temporally regulated in order to form localized pools of PI(4,5)P2 crucial for its many roles in a wide variety of cell processes. This bachelor's thesis focuses on the description of regulatory mechanisms that control PIP5K activity in vivo and on its physiological functions at the plasma membrane.
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The role of actin dynamics in auxin transport
Stillerová, Lenka ; Cvrčková, Fatima (advisor) ; Schwarzerová, Kateřina (referee)
Phytohormones are signalling molecules directing physiological and developmental processes in plants. One of them, auxin, is involved in the diverse regulation of plant processes, e.g. embryogenesis, organogenesis, vascular tissue formation and tropisms. Auxin transport is polar. Auxin isdistributed via the phloem, utilizing specialized membrane transport proteins; small amount diffuse also through the membrane. Aux1/Lax transporters mediate auxin entry into the cell, auxin efflux is mediate mostly by PIN transporters, which are the crucial factors in determining the directionality of auxin flow. Asymmetric localization of membrane PIN proteins depends on vesicle transport from Golgi to the plasma membrane. Vesicles are transported along actin filaments which are dynamically rebuilted by regulators. They are maintaining asymmetric cellular localization of the auxin transport proteins. PIN proteins are cycling between endosomes and plasma membrane. Cycling is regulated by ARF-GEF proteins and serin/threonin kinase (PID, PINOID). Newly synthesized PIN proteins are equally distributed in the plasma membrane, afterwards they are asymmetrically redistributed. Regulation of actin filaments formation and remodelling is the crucial factor for transport of vesicles with PIN proteins. Many proteins which regulate...
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