Nuclear actin dynamics – From form to function

2008/04/16 by Maria K. Vartiainen · 4 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Physics and Astronomy · #Actin #Actin cytoskeleton #Actin remodeling #Actin remodeling of neurons #Actin-binding protein #Biology #Cell #Cell biology #Cell nucleus #Cellular Mechanics and Interactions #Cytoplasm #Cytoskeleton #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Genetics #MDia1 #Motility #Nuclear Structure and Function #Nucleus

paper · doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2008.04.010

openalex publication_date 2008/04/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15

Abstract

Cell biological functions of actin have recently expanded from cytoplasm to nucleus, with actin implicated in such diverse processes as gene expression, transcription factor regulation and intranuclear motility. Actin in the nucleus seems to behave differently than in the cytoplasm, raising new questions regarding the molecular mechanisms by which actin functions in cells. In this review, I will discuss dynamic properties of nuclear actin that are related to its polymerization cycle and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. By comparing the behaviour of nuclear and cytoplasmic actin and their regulators, I try to dissect the underlying differences of these equally important cellular actin pools.

Citations

• Nucleoplasmic β-actin exists in a dynamic equilibrium between low-mobility polymeric species and rapidly diffusing populations
• A selective block of nuclear actin export stabilizes the giant nuclei of Xenopus oocytes
• Long-Range Directional Movement of an Interphase Chromosome Site
• Cofilin, Actin and Their Complex Observed In Vivo Using Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
• Tracking down the different forms of nuclear actin
• Emerin Caps the Pointed End of Actin Filaments: Evidence for an Actin Cortical Network at the Nuclear Inner Membrane
• Rapid and Phosphoinositol-Dependent Binding of the SWI/SNF-like BAF Complex to Chromatin after T Lymphocyte Receptor Signaling
• Nuclear export of actin: a novel mechanism regulating the subcellular localization of a major cytoskeletal protein
• Actin Dynamics Control SRF Activity by Regulation of Its Coactivator MAL
• Exportin 6: a novel nuclear export receptor that is specific for profilin·actin complexes

Cited by

• Active maintenance of nuclear actin by importin 9 supports transcription
• Actin-mediated gene expression in neurons: the MRTF-SRF connection
• Actin on DNA—An ancient and dynamic relationship
• Actin [wikipedia]

Related

• Emerging Properties and Functions of Actin and Actin Filaments Inside the Nucleus
• Actin from within – how nuclear myosins and actin regulate nuclear architecture and mechanics
• Active maintenance of nuclear actin by importin 9 supports transcription
• β- and γ-Actins in the nucleus of human melanoma A375 cells
• Actin on DNA—An ancient and dynamic relationship