LifeAct-GFP, a fluorescent reporter for actin filaments, is used to uncover the dynamics of actin cytoskeleton remodeling in real time during TGF-β–induced EMT. Efficient actin filament remodeling and complete transition to a mesenchymal phenotype depend on an increase in expression of the ERM protein moesin.

Phosphoinositides play important roles in regulating the cytoskeleton and vesicle trafficking, potentially important processes at the cleavage furrow. However, it remains unclear which, if any, of the phosphoinositides play a role during cytokinesis. A systematic analysis to determine if any of the phosphoinositides might be present or of functional importance at the cleavage furrow has not been published. Several studies hint at a possible role for one or more phosphoinositides at the cleavage furrow. The best of these are genetic data identifying mutations in phosphoinositide-modifying enzymes (a PtdIns(4)P-5-kinase in S. pombe and a PI-4-kinase in D. melanogaster) that interfere with cytokinesis. The genetic nature of these experiments leaves questions as to how direct may be their contribution to cytokinesis. Here we show that a single phosphoinositide, PtdIns(4,5)P2, specifically accumulates at the furrow. Interference with PtdIns(4,5)P2 interferes with adhesion of the plasma membrane to the contractile ring at the furrow. Finally, four distinct interventions to specifically interfere with PtdIns(4,5)P2 each impair cytokinesis. We conclude that PtdIns(4,5)P2 is present at the cleavage furrow and is required for normal cytokinesis at least in part because of a role in adhesion between the contractile ring and the plasma membrane.

The mammalian Ste20-like Nck-interacting kinase (NIK) and its orthologs Misshapen in Drosophila and Mig-15 in Caenorhabditis elegans have a conserved function in regulating cell morphology, although through poorly understood mechanisms. We report two previously unrecognized actions of NIK: regulation of lamellipodium formation by growth factors and phosphorylation of the ERM proteins ezrin, radixin, and moesin. ERM proteins regulate cell morphology and plasma membrane dynamics by reversibly anchoring actin filaments to integral plasma membrane proteins. In vitro assays show that NIK interacts directly with ERM proteins, binding their N termini and phosphorylating a conserved C-terminal threonine. In cells, NIK and phosphorylated ERM proteins localize at the distal margins of lamellipodia, and NIK activity is necessary for phosphorylation of ERM proteins induced by EGF and PDGF, but not by thrombin. Lamellipodium extension in response to growth factors is inhibited in cells expressing a kinase-inactive NIK, suppressed for NIK expression with siRNA oligonucleotides, or expressing ezrin T567A that cannot be phosphorylated. These data suggest that direct phosphorylation of ERM proteins by NIK constitutes a signaling mechanism controlling growth factor-induced membrane protrusion and cell morphology.ezrin ͉ moesin ͉ ste20 kinase ͉ membrane protrusion T he Nck-interacting kinase (NIK) is a member of the germinal center kinase subfamily of Ste20͞MAP4K serine͞threonine kinases (1). Closely related to NIK are the mammalian kinases TNIK (2), MINK (3), and NRK͞NESK (4) and orthologs Misshapen (Msn) in Drosophila (5) and MIG-15 in Caenorhabditis elegans (6). NIK and its orthologs share a common function in regulating cell shape and migration. In mice, homozygous knockout of NIK results in early embryonic lethality with defects in mesoderm migration (7), and expression of kinase-inactive NIK attenuates epithelial cell invasion (8). Msn functions in determining epithelial polarity, dorsal closure. and neuronal targeting (5, 9, 10), and MIG-15 controls axonal navigation (6). NIK (1) and Msn (5) also share a conserved activation of the JNK pathway. NIK, however, does not directly phosphorylate JNK, nor do NIK nullizygous embryos precisely phenocopy mice lacking JNK1 or JNK2 (7). Additionally, activation of JNK is not associated with dynamic changes in cell morphology. Hence, NIK substrates that control cell morphogenesis have not been identified.We now report that the ERM proteins ezrin, radixin, and moesin are substrates for NIK. ERM proteins regulate cell morphology by cross-linking actin filaments to the plasma membrane. The N-terminal FERM (4.1 ERM) domain of ERM proteins binds to integral plasma membrane proteins and the C terminus binds F-actin (11). ERM proteins control cell shape primarily by regulating membrane protrusions and cell-substrate adhesion. In epithelial cells ERM proteins are necessary for the formation of apical microvilli (12)(13)(14). In fibroblasts ERM proteins regulate the assembly of focal adhesions (...