Entrapping desired amounts of actin filaments and molecular motor proteins in giant liposomes.
We have successfully prepared cell-sized giant liposomes encapsulating desired amounts of actoHMM, a mixture of actin filament (F-actin) and heavy meromyosin (HMM, an actin-related molecular motor), in the presence of 5 mM MgCl 2 and 50 mM KCl. We employed a spontaneous transfer method to prepare those liposomes. In the absence of HMM, F-actin was distributed homogeneously inside the liposomes. In contrast, when F-actin was encapsulated in liposomes together with HMM, network structures were generated. Such network structures are attributable to the cross-linking of F-actin by HMM.
Takiguchi
Kingo
K
Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan. j46037a@nucc.cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Yamada
Ayako
A
Negishi
Makiko
M
Tanaka-Takiguchi
Yohko
Y
Yoshikawa
Kenichi
K
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry*; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009218:Myosins / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D013499:Surface Properties
D000199:Actins; D008081:Liposomes; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D009218:Myosins