CARMIL2 is a novel molecular connection between vimentin and actin essential for cell migration and invadopodia formation

M. Hunter Lanier, Taekyung Kim, John A. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cancer cell migration requires the regulation of actin networks at protrusions associated with invadopodia and other leading edges. Carcinomas become invasive after undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition characterized by the appearance of vimentin filaments. While vimentin expression correlates with cell migration, the molecular connections between vimentin-and actin-based membrane protrusions are not understood. We report here that CARMIL2 (capping protein, Arp2/3, myosin-I linker 2) provides such a molecular link. CARMIL2 localizes to vimentin, regulates actin capping protein (CP), and binds to membranes. CARMIL2 is necessary for invadopodia formation, as well as cell polarity, lamellipodial assembly, membrane ruffling, macropinocytosis, and collective cell migration. Using point mutants and chimeras with defined biochemical and cellular properties, we discovered that localization to vimentin and CP binding are both essential for the function of CARMIL2 in cells. On the basis of these results, we propose a model in which dynamic vimentin filaments target CARMIL2 to critical membrane-Associated locations, where CARMIL2 regulates CP, and thus actin assembly, to create cell protrusions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4577-4588
Number of pages12
JournalMolecular biology of the cell
Volume26
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'CARMIL2 is a novel molecular connection between vimentin and actin essential for cell migration and invadopodia formation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this