N’Deye Niang
Research Mentor: Qiong Yang
Mentor Department: Biophysics, LSA
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 128
Abstract
Actin is the most highly concentrated protein found in eukaryotic cells, notorious for its omnipresence in many of the cell’s mechanical properties. As such a key protein in many of the mechanisms of the cell, actin facilitates multiple diverse processes such as contractility, phagocytosis in white blood cells, and even fighting off viral infections from cell to cell. As part of the cytoskeleton, actin holds the cellular structure in place, interacting with cytoskeletal and motor proteins to facilitate directed movement. Actin plays a role not only in the cytoplasm, but is even seen in nuclear dynamics, such as chromatin remodeling, DNA replication/repair etc. Though the presence and function of actin specifically in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, of all types, is well known and studied, there are still inquiries about how actin responds to different conditions within the cell. This study relies on experimental findings, where Xenopus Laveis (African clawed frog) eggs are collected and crushed to create extract, which essentially acts as an undiluted cytoplasm, allowing for the study and analysis of cytoplasmic dynamics. The extract is prepped with the appropriate drugs and inhibitors in an attempt to isolate actin dynamics. We prepared High Speed Supernatant(HSS) extract encapsulated into droplets in oils through a microfluidics system to replicate the plasma membrane and allow for the initiation of actin polymerization in the first place. Using Expansion microscopy, the rate and magnitude of F-actin polymerization under fluctuating levels of cell-size/viscosity can be examined, allowing us to correlate the rate of contractility and polymerization with changes in ATP/ADP levels and, from there, draw conclusions. By studying the regulatory properties of actin under these conditions, we can have a better understanding of actin dynamics that contribute to the cytoplasm, specifically under stress. Responses of the cell to different stressors can help with the understanding of a wide variety of cell types and therefore, tissue types, such as immune cells, myocytes, aided by the ubiquitous property of actin.
