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Separate but linked functions of conventional myosins modulate adhesion and neurite outgrowth

Nature Cell Biology volume 3, pages 88–92 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

The potential functional diversity of closely related myosin isoforms found in eukaryotic cells is not yet understood in detail. We have previously provided evidence from functional knockouts of Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells that myosin IIB is essential for neurite outgrowth1. Here we investigate the role of non-muscle myosin IIA in the same cell line. We show that suppression of myosin IIA transcript and protein expression, brought about through exposure to isoform-specific antisense oligonucleotides, caused a rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and loss of cell adhesion. This also led to disruption of focal contacts, as evidenced by coincident reduction in paxillin and vinculin immunofluorescence, but did not diminish transcript expression. All effects were fully reversible. Before myosin IIA antisense-induced detachment, neurite outgrowth remained unaffected. By contrast, antisense oligonucleotides directed against myosin IIB transcripts had no effect on adhesion but severely attenuated neurite outgrowth. We infer that the two main isoforms of neuronal conventional myosin, myosins IIA and IIB, have separate but linked functions during neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth.

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Figure 1: The effect of antisense or control oligonucleotides, derived from myosin IIA or IIB sequences, on the phenotype of cultured mouse Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells.
Figure 2: Demonstration by RT–PCR that the expression of myosin IIA transcripts in cultured mouse Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells is attenuated specifically through application of antisense oligonucleotides derived from myosin IIA sequence.
Figure 3: The effect of antisense or control oligonucleotides, derived from myosin IIA or IIB sequences, on Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cell adhesion and focal contact formation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank S. Fletcher for assistance and P. de Lanerolle for supplying the anti-myosin IIA antibody. We thank G. Dunn and W. Gratzer for their comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust and the BBSRC to P.D.C.

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  1. Unit of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK

    Steven R. Wylie & Peter D. Chantler

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Correspondence to Peter D. Chantler.

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Wylie, S., Chantler, P. Separate but linked functions of conventional myosins modulate adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Nat Cell Biol 3, 88–92 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35050613

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