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Rapid redistribution of myosin II in livingDictyostelium amoebae, as revealed by fluorescent probes introduced by electroporation

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Summary

Fluorescently labeled myosin II fromDictyostelium and fluorescently labeled antibody Fab fragments against myosin II fromDictyostellium were introduced into livingDictyostelium amoebae by electroporation. Fluorescent labeling of myosin II impairs neither actin-activated ATPase activity nor the ability to form filaments in vitro. Fluorescently labeled Fab also did not interfere with the functions of myosin II in vitro. After electroporation, introduced fluorescently labeled myosin II was distributed diffusely in the endoplasm but some of it accumulated at the tail cortical region of migrating cells. During the course of observations, intense fluorescence due to myosin II disappeared and then it appeared again instantaneously in the cortical regions during amoeboid movement. Fluorescently labeled Fab, after electroporation, bound to endogenous myosin II in amoebae and the dynamic changes in its distribution were similar to those of fluorescently labeled myosin II. The fluorescence due to myosin II also underwent dynamic redistribution during the division of cells and chemotactic stimulation. The introduction of labeled Fab and labeled myosin II did not impair the motility ofDictyostelium. During changes in direction associated with cell locomotion, myosin II accumulated at the original front region of the cell and, thereafter, the accumulation was observed at the new tail region of the cell. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that myosin II has two possible roles for cell locomotion. One is that myosin II accumulates at tail regions to produce the power required for contraction. The other is that it hinders the extension of pseudopods in directions other than the frontal direction.

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  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamaguchi University, 753, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Shigehiko Yumura

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Yumura, S. Rapid redistribution of myosin II in livingDictyostelium amoebae, as revealed by fluorescent probes introduced by electroporation. Protoplasma 192, 217–227 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273893

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273893

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