Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Homocysteine, Chick embryo, Neural crest cells, Cytoskeleton, Ras GTPase, LIM3 protein

Journal/Book/Conference Title

International Journal of Biology

Volume

3

Issue

2

First Page

43

Last Page

56

Abstract

Elevated serum homocysteine (Hcys) is correlated with cardiovascular disease and with embryonic malformations related to neural crest cells (NCCs). We predicted Hcys may alter the balance of actin networks, stress fibers and focal adhesions, altering migration. We cultured neural tube explants in control and Hcys-treated medium and visualized actin, α-actinin, vinculin, filamin, and LIM3 protein in NCCs migrating outward. In Hcys, phalloidin-stained actin in stress fibers was brighter, and vinculin was more abundant in focal adhesions and lamellipodia. α-actinin and LIM3 were also enhanced around nuclei and in focal adhesions, and α-actinin also in filopodia. Filamin was unchanged. Hcys caused more spreading and migration of NCCs, but not more cell-cell adhesions. The findings support our hypothesis that Hcys adjusts NCCs for greater adhesion and migration. Its effect on LIM3 suggests it may modulate signaling that adjusts the cytoskeleton for enhanced migration, leading to mistimed and defective development of target tissues.

Department

Department of Biology

Comments

First published in International Journal of Biology, v. 3 n. 2 (2011), pp. 43-56, published by Canadian Center of Science and Education. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijb.v3n2p43

Original Publication Date

4-2011

DOI of published version

http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijb.v3n2p43

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, University of Northern Iowa, Rod Library

Date Digital

2011

Copyright

©2011 Canadian Center of Science and Education. The copyright holder has granted permission for posting.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

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