Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Yeast Cells
Summary
The actin cytoskeleton in Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprises a dynamic network of filamentous structures—cables, cortical patches and the cytokinetic ring—that underpins cell shape, polarity and division. Formin nucleators at the bud tip and bud neck generate long, unbranched cables along which myosin motors transport secretory vesicles. In contrast, the Arp2/3 complex drives the formation of branched patches that power endocytosis and membrane remodelling. A coordinated interplay of nucleation, elongation, crosslinking and disassembly, mediated by actin-binding proteins such as profilin, cofilin, tropomyosins and capping proteins, ensures rapid filament turnover and adaptability to cell-cycle cues and environmental stress. Quantitative measurements of actin and regulator concentrations have revealed that filament binding sites are limiting in vivo, promoting high cytosolic levels of monomer-binding proteins and facilitating robust turnover. Advances in live-cell imaging and computational modelling continue to illuminate mechanisms of cable length control, filament architecture and global organisation. Insights gained from yeast serve as a foundational model for understanding cytoskeletal dynamics in higher eukaryotes and inform applications in synthetic biology and antifungal strategies.
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Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Yeast Cells publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in actin cytoskeleton dynamics in yeast cells across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Actin filament (F-actin): A polymerised, filamentous form of actin that provides structural support and tracks for molecular motors.
Globular actin (G-actin): The monomeric form of actin that assembles into F-actin.
Formin: A class of proteins that nucleate and elongate unbranched actin filaments by associating with filament barbed ends.
Actin-binding protein (ABP): A protein that binds actin monomers or filaments to regulate assembly, stability or organisation.
Arp2/3 complex: A seven-subunit assembly that nucleates branched actin networks, primarily at sites of endocytosis.
Actin cable: A linear bundle of F-actin filaments in yeast that directs vesicle transport and defines cell polarity.
References
- Cytosolic concentrations of actin binding proteins and the implications for in vivo F-actin turnover. Journal of Cell Biology (2023).
- Scaling of subcellular actin structures with cell length through decelerated growth. eLife (2021).
- Bil2 Is a Novel Inhibitor of the Yeast Formin Bnr1 Required for Proper Actin Cable Organization and Polarized Secretion. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2021).
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