Actin depolymerization transduces the strength of B-cell receptor stimulation

S Hao, A August - Molecular biology of the cell, 2005 - Am Soc Cell Biol
S Hao, A August
Molecular biology of the cell, 2005Am Soc Cell Biol
Polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton has been found to be essential for B-cell activation.
We show here, however, that stimulation of BCR induces a rapid global actin
depolymerization in a BCR signal strength-dependent manner, followed by polarized actin
repolymerization. Depolymerization of actin enhances and blocking actin depolymerization
inhibits BCR signaling, leading to altered BCR and lipid raft clustering, ERK activation, and
transcription factor activation. Furthermore actin depolymerization by itself induces altered …
Polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton has been found to be essential for B-cell activation. We show here, however, that stimulation of BCR induces a rapid global actin depolymerization in a BCR signal strength-dependent manner, followed by polarized actin repolymerization. Depolymerization of actin enhances and blocking actin depolymerization inhibits BCR signaling, leading to altered BCR and lipid raft clustering, ERK activation, and transcription factor activation. Furthermore actin depolymerization by itself induces altered lipid raft clustering and ERK activation, suggesting that F-actin may play a role in separating lipid rafts and in setting the threshold for cellular activation.
Am Soc Cell Biol