Ferrin, M. A. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

Force-insensitive myosin-I enhances endocytosis robustness through actin network-scale collective ratcheting

Force production by Type-I myosins influences endocytic progression in many cell types. Since different myosin-I isoforms exhibit distinct force-dependent kinetic properties, it is important to investigate how these properties affect endocytic outcomes, and the mechanisms through which myosin-I contributes to endocytosis. To this end, we adapted our agent-based simulations of endocytic actin networks and incorporated nonprocessive, single-headed myosin motors at the base of the endocytic pit. We varied the unbinding rate and the force dependence of myosin unbinding. Our results revealed that the inclusion of myosin motors facilitated endocytic internalization, but only under kinetic regimes with rapid and less force-sensitive unbinding. Conversely, slow or strongly force-dependent unbinding impeded endocytic progression. As membrane tension increased, the boundary between assistive and inhibitory phases shifted, allowing the myosins to assist over larger regions of the kinetic landscape. Myosin-Is contribution to internalization could not be explained by direct force transduction or increased actin assembly. Instead, the myosins collectively bolstered the robustness of internalization by limiting pit retraction. Significance StatementO_LIType-I myosins with varying force sensitivity levels participate in different membrane deformation pathways, but the mechanistic link between molecular biophysical properties and cellular function remains poorly understood. C_LIO_LIThe authors analyze a computational model of endocytosis with type-I myosins and find that myosins with lower force sensitivity assist endocytosis by reducing backsliding along the internalization trajectory, while myosins with higher force sensitivity stall endocytosis by sequestering actin in non-productive orientations. C_LIO_LIThese results introduce a new perspective on the function of type-I myosins in membrane reshaping: as a collective emergent property rather than the sum of individual force-generating motors. C_LI

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

Self-organizing actin networks drive sequential endocytic protein recruitment and vesicle release on synthetic lipid bilayers

Forces generated by actin assembly assist membrane invagination during clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). The sequential recruitment of core endocytic proteins and regulatory proteins, and assembly of the actin network, are well documented in live cells and are highly conserved from yeasts to humans. However, understanding of CME protein self-organization, as well as the biochemical and mechanical principles that underlie actins role in CME, is lacking. Here, we show that supported lipid bilayers coated with purified yeast WASP, an endocytic actin assembly regulator, and incubated in cytoplasmic yeast extracts, recruit downstream endocytic proteins and assemble actin tails. Time-lapse imaging of WASP-coated bilayers revealed sequential recruitment of proteins from different endocytic modules, faithfully replicating in vivo behavior. Reconstituted actin networks assemble in a WASP-dependent manner and deform lipid bilayers, as seen by electron microscopy. Time-lapse imaging revealed that vesicles are released from the lipid bilayers with a burst of actin assembly. Actin networks pushing on membranes have previously been reconstituted; here, we have reconstituted a biologically important variation of these actin networks that self-organize on bilayers and produce pulling forces sufficient to bud off membrane vesicles. We propose that actin-driven vesicle generation may represent an ancient evolutionary precursor to diverse vesicle forming processes adapted for a wide array of cellular environments and applications. Significance StatementActin filament assembly participates in many vesicle-forming processes. However, the underlying principles for how assembly is initiated and organized to effectively harness assembly forces remain elusive. To address this gap, we report a novel reconstitution of actin-driven vesicle release from supported lipid bilayers. Using real-time imaging, we observe sequential recruitment of endocytic proteins and, following a burst of actin assembly, vesicle release from bilayers. Given the absence of cargo or upstream endocytic regulatory proteins on the bilayers, and the participation of actin in many vesicle-forming processes, we posit that this mode of vesicle formation represents an early evolutionary precursor for multiple trafficking pathways. We expect that this assay will be of great use for future investigations of actin-mediated vesicle-forming processes.

cell biology↗