F‐actin Distribution of Dictyostelium Myosin I Double Mutants

Abstract
The roles of the myosin I class of mechanoenzymes have been investigated by single and double gene knockout studies in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. Cells lacking different myosin I pairs (myoA/myoB, myoB/myoC, and myoA/myoC) were examined with respect to their cytoskeletal organization. F‐actin localization by rhodamine‐phalloidin staining of cells indicates that the myoA/myoB, myoB/myoC, and myoA/myoC cells appear to redistribute their F‐actin more slowly than wild type cells upon adhesion to a substrate. These studies suggest that Dictyostelium myoA, myoB, and myoC may have overlapping roles in maintaining the integrity or organization of the cortical membrane cytoskeleton.
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