Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 114, Issue 9, Pages 2131-2136Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616133114
Keywords
actin; phase separation; liquid crystal; cytoskeleton
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Funding
- University of Chicago Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (National Science Foundation Division of Materials Research Grant) [1420709]
- National Science Foundation Molecular Cellular Biosciences [1344203]
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems at University College London
- University of Chicago
- Div Of Molecular and Cellular Bioscience
- Direct For Biological Sciences [1344203] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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The actin cytoskeleton is a critical regulator of cytoplasmic architecture and mechanics, essential in a myriad of physiological processes. Here we demonstrate a liquid phase of actin filaments in the presence of the physiological cross-linker, filamin. Filamin condenses short actin filaments into spindle-shaped droplets, or tactoids, with shape dynamics consistent with a continuum model of anisotropic liquids. We find that cross-linker density controls the droplet shape and deformation timescales, consistent with a variable interfacial tension and viscosity. Near the liquid-solid transition, cross-linked actin bundles show behaviors reminiscent of fluid threads, including capillary instabilities and contraction. These data reveal a liquid droplet phase of actin, demixed from the surrounding solution and dominated by interfacial tension. These results suggest a mechanism to control organization, morphology, and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton.
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